Worcestershire head into new season with limited preparation

The weather meant no play was played on Wednesday or Tuesday, which already came after the pre-season matches with Gloucestershire and Oxford were cancelled.

It all means that Worcestershire have managed about three hours of game time ahead of the 2023 cricket season, which is hardly ideal preparation for Alan Richardson's men.

But the head coach appreciates the weather is something that has affected all teams in the build-up to the LV=Insurance County Championship campaign kicking off next week.

"It is frustrating, but it has been a similar weather pattern for a large part of the country, and we were thankful at least quite a few people could have a hit and a bowl yesterday," he said.

The new Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson (Image: Worcestershire CCC)

"The lads have also had the opportunity to practice in the indoor nets at Edgbaston, but nothing beats getting out on grass this time of the year in readiness for the new season."

Worcestershire will have to put the disappointment of the lack of games behind them as they prepare for the opening fixture with Derbyshire next Thursday. 

The Pears were in with a chance of promotion from Division Two last season but could not quite force their way into the top-flight and that is something captain Brett D'Oliveira is hoping to build on this time around. 

"We are really optimistic, we wouldn't be going out there to play if we didn't think we could get up that table and challenge for promotion so that's the goal and we want to build momentum from the start with Derbyshire away," he said.

Worcestershire captain Brett D'Oliveira (Image: Worcestershire CCC)

"Capitlaising on those moments when we have a chance to turn the game is what we need to do. Turning those 50:50 games into wins is what we want to try and do as we lost a couple of those last season and we want to put that right."

Worcestershire have recruited some new faces for the 2023 campaign in Adam Hose and Matthew Waite and D'Oliveira is looking forward to seeing what they can do.

"We are really excited about them coming in, they are exceptional characters and obviously fantastic cricketers," he added.

"We saw Adam in the Big Bash in recent months and when he played against us last season, we found out first-hand what he is capable of. He brings experience and knowledge in the game and he has big aspirations of developing his game across both formats.

"As for Matthew, he had some time with us last year and fitted in well when he was here for the short time so that's good for us. 

"Overall we have plenty of competition for places and as a captain that's what we want to have, we want to have those headaches as a leadership team."