NO sooner had Worcestershire announced they were renaming themselves the Rapids for Twenty20 matches, than the criticism started.

Few people seem to have a good word to say for the new moniker, logo and anything else connected with it.

Well, I'm going to buck the trend and say I actually like it. It's certainly better than the Royals, which had become a bit non-descript.

The Rapids is an attempt to breathe new life into the quick-fire format of the game from a County perspective to coincide with the launch of the NatWest T20 Blast.

There is also an element of self-deprication about the name, trying to almost make light of the annual floods at New Road rather than wallow in the doom and gloom.

Twenty20 in general has lost its appeal in this country, the early days of novelty value replaced by increasingly stale competition when compared to the appeal of the Indian Premier League.

Steve Rhodes' side, too, have not enjoyed the greatest of times in the format, with just three quarter-final defeats since its original inception.

They will be hoping this can recapture the imagination of the Worcester public and, combined with predominantly Friday night matches staggered over a long period, get the crowds back to New Road.

Yes, it's very American in its outlook but it's not as if it is about to take over everything. Worcestershire will not be using the name in the LV= County Championship.

They need to try to appeal to as many people as possible - young and old, traditionalists and the casual fan. Particularly when it comes to making money out of their new facilities.

A marketing ploy it may be but where's the harm in that? Here, it seems Worcestershire are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

The new name might not be to everyone's taste but at least give it a chance.