WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids skipper Daryl Mitchell knows only a derby triumph tonight against Birmingham Bears will keep alive their NatWest T20 Blast hopes (5.30pm).

The Rapids led the North Group after the early rounds but have slipped to seventh after five defeats and two wash-outs since beating Northamptonshire Steelbacks on June 10.

The top four teams from the North and South sections will progress to the quarter-finals and Rapids have no margin for error in their sell-out clash at New Road.

Mitchell said: “We have still got a chance of qualifying but we have to win our final two group games against Bears and Derbyshire to stand a chance.

“Tonight is a hugely important game for us, not only in terms of the group but it’s also against our local rivals at New Road in front of a full house.”

Rapids secured an impressive five-wicket win at Edgbaston earlier in the campaign when Brett D’Oliveira cracked a 38-ball unbeaten 62 to lead them home against Bears with five deliveries remaining.

Mitchell said: “It was great to beat the Bears at Edgbaston earlier in the season because it’s not an easy place to get a positive result and we will take a lot of confidence from that into this game.

“But I am sure Bears will be looking for revenge so it will be another hard-fought game.”

South African paceman Kyle Abbott (foot injury) is a doubt for Worcestershire and has been struggling for accuracy in the short format since his arrival at New Road.

And the derby will mark the end of the Worcestershire spell for New Zealand bowler Matt Henry (pictured back page).

Mitchell said: “It’s been great to have Matt on board and hopefully the boys can send him off with a win to thank him for his contributions during the season.

“I think he’s bowled well and sometimes his figures haven’t reflected that. But Matt is flying to South Africa tomorrow so this is definitely his final match.”

Worcestershire will be without all-rounder Moeen Ali, who is on England Test duty against Pakistan at Lord’s along with Bears’ Chris Woakes.

Former England batsman Ian Bell is set to captain the Bears, who are third after winning five and losing three of their nine matches.

Ex-England all-rounder Rikki Clarke and Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade are also expected to feature for visitors Birmingham.

Mitchell said: “Having started so well in the competition, our T20 performances have fallen away.

“T20 cricket is all about momentum and if you can get on a roll it makes a huge difference and we had that at the start of the competition. But you can also suffer a loss of momentum and that can be difficult to stop.

“We have tried to do things differently, changed the batting order and had different people taking the new ball.

“I think our run has been down to a mixture of things and hopefully the momentum will swing in our favour.

“At times, we have played quite well in this run but our batting and bowling hasn’t clicked in the same match.”

Worcestershire (from): Mitchell, Kohler-Cadmore, Clarke, D’Oliveira, Whiteley, Cox, Henry, Barnard, Leach, Shantry, Rhodes, Abbott.

Birmingham (from): Bell, Barker, Clarke, Evans, Gordon, Hain, Lamb, Hannon-Dalby, Javid, Patel, Poysden, Thomason, Wade.