Bears v Rapids 2024 at Edgbaston: Vitality Blast T20
View 10 photosAshley Giles
Our Bears v Rapids 2024 hospitality took place at Edgbaston ahead of the big local derby fixture between the Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire Rapids. In the Wyatt Suite we held a superb Q&A with Warwickshire and England’s legendary spin bowler, and 2005 Ashes hero, Ashley Giles.
Ashley was tremendously entertaining, talking with great knowledge and humour about a wide range of cricketing subjects. Amongst the topics discussed were the best players he has bowled to during his career, with the West Indies legend Brian Lara coming out on top! He talked about the 2005 Ashes series and how proud he is of getting his highest test score of 59 batting in the final innings. He was alongside Kevin Pietersen for a staggering century last wicket partnership which helped to secure the return of the famous Ashes Urn!
Our special guest also spoke about the late great Shane Warne, an icon and hero to so many cricket fans no matter their allegiance. Ashley talked about how Shane was such an incredibly nice man behind the scenes, in particular mentioning how, when Ashley’s wife was ill, Shane had gone out of his way to message him to find out how she was and send his best wished to them both.
After the Q&A and a superb three course meal the cricket then got underway. The Bears v Rapids 2024 match began with the Rapids batting first and setting a superb total of 187-6 from their 17 overs. Kashif Ali launched their innings with a sparkling 46 from 30 balls and Matthew Waite concluded it in spectacular fashion by whacking 34 from the last over by George Garton and finishing 36 not out from just eight balls.
Warwickshire’s reply got off to the worst possible start, losing both openers for ducks and their innings never recovered. The Bears finally closed on 132 all out from just 15.2 overs. Only Dan Mousley (68 off 44) threatened for long against a well-focused Rapids attack led by Waite (4 for 29) and Tom Taylor (3 for 27).
The result kept the Rapids in the hunt for a finals spot, while the Bears remain top of the table and will look to bounce back and quickly secure their spot in the quarter-finals.