7:00am Saturday 28th August 2010
By Michael Reeves
MATT Mason could return for Worcestershire Royals tomorrow after missing the LV= County Championship Division Two match at Northamptonshire.
The veteran seamer was forced to sit out the rain-affected game at Wantage Road after a slight swelling to his knee.
But Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes is hopeful the 36-year-old will be fit to return for the Clydesdale Bank 40 Group ‘A’ clash with Unicorns at New Road tomorrow (1.45pm).
The Australian-born bowler claimed two wickets in his opening two overs in the 178-run victory over Glamorgan Dragons last week as the Royals claimed their first victory in the competition this season.
“Mase is responding to treatment well,” Rhodes said.
“The swelling is going down all the time and we may even have him out for a bowl today at Northampton during the breaks.
“I thought he bowled very well in tandem with Jack Shantry against Glamorgan last week and they set the tone for us with the ball.”
Worcestershire will be keen to secure their second win of the competition when they host the side made up of former professionals tomorrow, especially as the Unicorns beat them at Kidderminster last month.
Moeen Ali looks set to retain his spot at the top of the order after striking a 105-ball 121 last weekend.
Youngsters Chris Russell and Aneesh Kapil are vying to make their competitive debuts for the County.
With the rain causing havoc with Worcestershire’s Championship match at Northamptonshire on the opening two days, Rhodes said the team have not been idling their time away. Rhodes added: “There is an indoor school here at Northampton and we have maximised our time by making the most of the facility.
“We want to try and win as many games as we can before the competition comes to an end.”
Royals (from): Moeen, Solanki, Kervezee, Shakib, Cameron, Andrew, Mitchell (capt), Cox (wkt), Choudhry, Mason, Shantry, Russell, Kapil.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/trade_directory/