The RAPIDS will receive a heroes’ welcome tonight at a red-carpet reception to celebrate their historic Vitality Blast win.

The victorious Worcestershire County Cricket Twenty20 team will be greeted on the steps of the city’s Guildhall by Mayor Jabba Riaz at 8pm, where they will be showing off their winning trophy.

There will be short speeches after which the players and invited guests will enter the hall, on High Street, for a civic reception.

The win, which saw The Rapids beat Sussex by five wickets with eight balls to spare on September 15, represents the club’s first major competition win in 11 years.

“This is a tremendous victory for cricket in the county,” said cricket fan Cllr Riaz, who was at Edgbaston for the final.

“It is a historic moment for the club and I am keen to formally recognise this and give people the opportunity to see the players and the trophy first hand,” said the mayor.

“Come along and join in the celebrations – there’s going to be a great atmosphere.”

The trophy will also be on display in the Guildhall foyer from 3pm to 7pm and from 8.15pm to 9.30pm on the same day.

Members of the public are welcome to come and view it during these times, and to come and meet members of the team.

The Rapids are playing Yorkshire at Blackfinch New Road earlier in the day, but players not involved in what will be the final day of the season will be present in the Guildhall foyer from 3pm to 7pm.

The full team will attend the evening event and players will be available in the reception area throughout the proceedings.

Captain Moeen Ali, who had also seen his team beat Lancashire by 20 runs in the semi-final, said the players were “fantastic”.

“I am delighted, the guys deserve it and so do the club,” he said after the match. “We were fantastic. Everyone chipped in like we have been all year.

“I felt time was right for me to be captain. To lead a great bunch of guys with no egos is brilliant.”

“We have been getting better and better every year,” he added.

Despite The Rapids’ unexpected cup win, the team’s relegation to Division Two was confirmed five days later after losing to 2017 champions Essex.

It is the sixth time in 14 years the club have dropped down to the second tier.