WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids head coach Kevin Sharp expects Callum Ferguson and Ben Cox to be 100 per cent fit for the start of the Vitality Blast campaign.

The duo should make Thursday's T20 opener with Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford (6.30pm) and Friday’s opening home clash with Birmingham Bears (5.30pm).

Australian overseas player Ferguson and wicketkeeper-batsman Cox did not feature with the rest of the senior squad in Monday’s two Second XI T20 matches at Leicestershire.

But Sharp said this was only a precautionary measure and is confident the duo, who finished first and second in Rapids' batting averages in the Royal London One-Day Cup, will be ready to face Lightning.

Sharp said: “Is Callum going to be fit? Yes, all being well. It’s just precautionary, just to get him 100 per cent for Thursday.

“He has played two magnificent innings and the one against Leicestershire is as good as you will see in 50-over cricket.

“It was a very special knock that was beautifully executed and a pleasure to watch. He loves the game, is a good man and fits really well into our dressing room.

“Is Ben OK? Again just precautionary. He stayed behind and he will practice, have a good work-out on Wednesday and be fine for Thursday.

“We are pretty happy where we are. I know we’ve got one or two bowlers injured (Joe Leach and Josh Tongue) but everyone else is pretty much going to be 100 per cent fit for Thursday.”

Rapids began their preparations in earnest with two defeats against Leicestershire who also fielded the bulk of their Foxes squad at Fischer County Ground.

Interim Championship captain Brett D’Oliveira scored a rapid half-century in game two with several other Rapids spending time in the middle or practicing their bowling skills.

In game one, Rapids were put in and totalled 135-8 with Tom Fell scoring 34 as an opener before he was caught at long-on.

Ex-Yorkshire batsman Ryan Gibson, who has impressed in the Second XI Championship side, top-scored with 49 not out from 32 balls with seven boundaries.

In reply, Ben Twohig bowled four tidy overs for 20 runs and picked up the one wicket to fall as Cameron Delport (35) holed out to long-off.

But Neil Dexter’s unbeaten half-century helped Leicestershire to victory in the 18th over.

In game two, Leicestershire were invited to bat and Dillon Pennington accounted for Tom Wells (53) who picked out backward square leg.

The catch was taken by former Northamptonshire player Mohammad Azharullah who bowled in both matches for Rapids along with fellow paceman Andy Carter who has been on trial with the seconds.

George Rhodes held on to a fizzing drive at extra cover by Ateeq Javid (30) off Carter who also trapped Mohammad Nabi lbw for 47 out of Leicestershire’s 166-5.

Martin Guptill, with four fours in his 16, Rhodes (23) and Daryl Mitchell, caught at deep cover for 25, made useful runs in reply.

But D’Oliveira made the most significant contribution with 57 off 32 balls, including four boundaries in one over, before he was caught at backward square leg as Rapids closed on 154-7.