Mo in to make Rapids go just that bit quicker

MOEEN Ali will be available for the second of his three One-Day Cup games for Worcestershire Rapids, and captain Joe Leach believes the England international can make the difference.

The Rapids opened their campaign against the Nottinghamshire Outlaws yesterday, the team they beat last summer to book a slot in the quarter-finals.

In 2015, they were knocked out by Somerset and if they’re to go better than the last eight this year, then victory against tournament outsiders Leicestershire is surely a must.

Worcestershire have been in good form too with two wins from their opening fourday games, with skipper Leach taking a ten-wicket haul against Northants.

“I’ve said all along that I think we are a good side in this competition,” said Leach. “I think we are just starting to come to terms with how to play. If the game plan comes off and we execute it well, we’ve got match winners from one to eleven.

“Obviously with the likes of John Hastings plus Moeen, that gives us an international edge we possibly haven’t had in our one-day bowling over the past few years.”

The Foxes started their campaign on Friday against Lancashire Lightning, having suffered a terrible start to the season. And the One-Day Cup has not been their friend in recent years with just five wins from their 24 games since 2014.