WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of making a winning start to their Twenty20 Cup campaign tonight have been boosted by the return of pace bowler Kabir Ali from England duty.

The England management want Kabir to play some cricket and he will rejoin the international squad immediately after this evening's game against Warwickshire at New Road (5.30pm).

Skipper Gareth Batty is already back with the Worcestershire team following the return to fitness of Ashley Giles and will captain the County during the early stages of the Twenty20 Cup pool games.

Head coach Steve Rhodes wants the Royals to combine hard-hitting fun with a will to win during their Cup campaign which continues on Thursday when they take on Somerset Sabres at Taunton.

Rhodes said: "We are all in it to have some fun. That might sound as though we are not interested in winning it, but it's totally opposite to that.

"We want to win but also want to have fun as well. That's what the whole event is all about. I honestly think that if you enjoy the Twenty20 Cup you have got a chance of coming out on top. We will be looking to enjoy it with all its razzamatazz.

"It's 20 overs of "let's have a go" cricket and it's going to be very tight in most of the games. Last year matches were quite tight and I'm sure the games coming up are going to be tight as well."

Rhodes said of the sell-out clash against Warwickshire: "They are always a strong side in any competition and I think the Twenty20 Cup will be very similar.

"I anticipate a very tough encounter. They are a good side and might possibly be one of the favourites to do well in it."

Worcestershire: Moore, Hick, Smith de Bruyn, Leatherdale, Peters, Batty, Mitchell, Pipe, Price, Malik. 12th man: Davies.

New Road chief executive Mark Newton said: "Our one-day cricket is not at its best as yet, so I think "Bumpy" and the captain will be determined to go all the way."