IT has been a thrilling start to the 2023 Vitality Blast campaign for the Worcestershire Rapids.

Having struggled in the competition last season, it has been a totally different story this time around as the Rapids sit top of the North Group table having won four from four.

The likes of Brett D'Oliveira, Adam Hose and Pat Brown have starred throughout and generally speaking, Worcestershire are playing entertaining cricket which has led to back-to-back sell-out at New Road.

They face the Northamptonshire Steelbacks at home on Sunday (today, June 4) looking to win their opening five games of the tournament for the first time. 

Captain D'Oliveira, who registered T20 best figures of 4-11 in the win over Notts Outlaws on Friday, explained that playing entertaining cricket suits his side perfectly.

"With T20 especially, but cricket in general, we are here to entertain and that’s something that falls nicely into this group of players," he said.

"They want to entertain, they want to be aggressive, so it’s about giving them the freedom and confidence to be able to do that.

"Luckily so far we’ve been able to do that and with Richo (Alan Richardson), Kadeer (Ali) and Richard Jones at the top, it’s been a nice way to play cricket.

"I think the lads have been absolutely faultless, and I can’t ask for anymore really.”

Head Coach, Alan Richardson, added: "We are very lucky; we have a very good base of supporters that come and watch us in numbers.

"They are always very supportive, so it is fantastic that we can repay them with some good cricket."