Vitality T20 Blast betting preview: Worcestershire v Yorkshire
Yorkshire make the trip to Worcestershire for their T20 Blast clash on Sunday but Richard Mann thinks the visitors could have a tough task on their hands.
Recommended bets: T20 Blast - Worcestershire v Yorkshire
5pts Worcestershire to beat Yorkshire at 10/11
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The Tykes held their nerve to claim a 10-run win over Durham Jets at Chester-le-Street on Friday night and have now won two of their opening three games in the competition having defeated the same opposition in their opening match.
However, a heavy defeat at the hands of Birmingham Bears was sandwiched between those victories and they now take on the impressive Worcestershire Rapids in front of the Sky cameras.
Worcestershire's own T20 Blast campaign has begun in tremendous fashion and the Rapids are now 4-4 having thumped Northhamptonshire only a couple of days ago.
Previous victories over Lancashire, Birmingham and Derbyshire have showcased what an exciting outfit Worcestershire are and it is worth remembering that they only narrowly missed out on a place in the final of the Royal London One-Day Cup recently.
With a host of exciting young talent in their ranks - Joe Clarke and Ben Cox chief amongst them - and overseas star Martin Guptill starting strongly, Worcestershire's batting has an intimidating look about it.
The bowling has been pretty good, too, with Patrick Brown and recent England Lions call-up Ed Barnard in good form while Dillon Pennington claimed four wickets for only nine runs in their victory on Friday.
Worcestershire sit comfortably at the top of North Group and are the only team to boast a 100 per cent record in the competition so far, suggesting odds of 10/11 for Sunday's game are very fair.
While Worcestershire have the luxury of home advantage for this clash, as well as no travelling since their game on Friday, Yorkshire must make the long journey south from Durham and that must tip the balance further in favour of the Rapids.
Yorkshire are never easy to write off, though, and there have been definite signs in the last year or so that they are making positive strides in white-ball cricket.
Veteran Tim Bresnan continues to prove a key player for the Tykes and starred in Friday's victory over Durham while Matthew Fisher is finally fully fit and is beginning to look every inch the top-class fast bowler that many a good judge have long believed him to be.
The batting still relies heavily on Adam Lyth, however, with youngsters Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Harry Brook finding their way at this level and against a buoyant Worcestershire side, the visitors could be in for a tough afternoon.