Worcestershire vs Birmingham Bears – 20th Match

Worcestershire return to New Road looking to steady early-season momentum in the Vitality T20 Blast. A heavy 100-run loss to Northamptonshire followed a solid 18-run win at Leicestershire, so consistency is the immediate target.

Birmingham Bears arrive after two defeats to start their campaign, falling by 47 runs to Gloucestershire and by 7 wickets to Somerset. They need a response, and their strong recent record against Worcestershire makes this a key chance to reset.

Worcestershire vs Birmingham Bears Head-to-Head Record

Birmingham Bears won by 23 runs. Birmingham Bears won by 1 wickets. Worcestershire won by 55 runs. Birmingham Bears won by 5 wickets. Birmingham Bears won by 53 runs.

WOR vs BB Team Previews

Worcestershire

Worcestershire’s batting has leaned on Kashif Ali and Ethan Brookes for impetus. Kashif Ali scored 38 off 28 and 28 off 20 across the last two outings, while Ethan Brookes blasted 57 off 20 in the previous campaign and chipped in 18 off 11 at Leicestershire. Issac Mohammed struck 42 off 26 in the win at Leicestershire but managed only 1 off 7 in the defeat to Northamptonshire.

The bowling has shown bite in bursts. Adam Finch took 3 wickets in the Northamptonshire game and 2 wickets in the Leicestershire win, giving Worcestershire new-ball control. Ethan Brookes added 3 wickets in his last 2025 appearance and 1 wicket against Northamptonshire, while Ben Allison’s previous 3-wicket return highlights depth, even if he did not feature recently.

Worcestershire Expected Playing 11

Brett D Oliveira, Issac Mohammed, Adam Hose, Kashif Ali, Ethan Brookes, Henry Cullen (WK), Adam Finch, Ben Allison, Ben Gibbon, Jake Libby, Rehaan Edavalath

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Birmingham Bears

Birmingham Bears have star quality but mixed outputs so far. Sam Hain hit 52 off 35 against Somerset after 50 off 29 in 2025, while Alex Davies’ ceiling remains high after a 71 off 39 last season. Ed Barnard’s 28 off 11 against Somerset shows late-overs value, though the top order has started slowly this year.

The bowling has produced standout spells but needs collective control. Tazeem Ali bagged 4 wickets against Gloucestershire, and Richard Gleeson has taken 2 wickets in each of his last two completed matches in 2025. Oliver Hannon Dalby remains reliable with 1 and 2 wickets in the two latest outings, even as runs leaked at the other end.

Birmingham Bears Expected Playing 11

Alex Davies (WK), Sam Hain, Ed Barnard, George Garton, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Thompson, Richard Gleeson, Oliver Hannon Dalby, Tazeem Ali, Kai Smith, Theo Wylie

WOR vs BB Toss Prediction

We expect the toss winner to bowl first at New Road. Early seam movement under overcast skies should aid new-ball bowlers, while chasing has typically simplified calculations on smaller English outfields.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

New Road generally offers a true surface with new-ball nip early and value for shots once set. Expect moderate pace and playable bounce as the innings progresses. A par first-innings total should sit around the mid-160s if conditions remain overcast, with 175+ competitive for a well-rounded attack.

WOR vs BB: Who Will Win?

We give Birmingham Bears a slight edge based on their superior recent head-to-head record and multiple in-form bowling threats. Worcestershire’s top order has flashed but remains volatile, which could be exposed if conditions aid seam. The game should be tight if Kashif Ali or Ethan Brookes bat deep, but Birmingham Bears’ middle-order assurance from Sam Hain and Alex Davies is a key separator. Pro Tip: Back a Birmingham Bears bowler in the Top Team Bowler market given Tazeem Ali’s 4-wicket haul and Richard Gleeson’s recent wicket-taking rhythm.

Bet on Birmingham Bears to win.