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Simon Jones: Poised to make his County Twenty20 debut.

GRAEME Hick will tomorrow equal Graham Gooch's competitive games record as Worcestershire Royals take on Warwickshire Bears in the Twenty20 Cup at a sold-out New Road (5.30pm).

The 42-year-old batsman has played 1,194 matches and this clash against the County's old rivals will draw him level with the former England captain.

For a man who has achieved almost everything in cricket, Hick was hoping that this clash would have been the day that he broke Gooch's record.

However, heavy rain in Cardiff on Sunday means that he will now have to wait until Thursday's visit of Somerset Sabres to pass that milestone in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Royals director of cricket Steve Rhodes will be looking for his side to banish the defeat at Mid/West/Wales Division pace-setters Northamptonshire Steelbacks when they take on the Bears.

Ashley Giles' side have yet to taste defeat in this competition after beating Somerset, drawing with Gloucestershire, while their match at Glamorgan was also washed out.

Rhodes only has one injury concern ahead of tomorrow evening's game with spinner Gareth Batty still struggling with a calf strain.

Pace ace Simon Jones is set to make his Twenty20 Cup debut for the County after missing the opening two games with a virus.

"We are in pretty good shape really," said Rhodes. "Gareth is still a problem. It could be a seven to 10-day period before he returns, but he may recover more quickly.

"It's always a good game against Warwickshire and we always enjoy playing them. We have done pretty well against them in Twenty20 cricket recently.

"It doesn't surprise me that it's a sell-out. It'll be a great atmosphere."

Rhodes has been impressed with the way his side has fielded in the opening two games of the competition.

He has also been pleased with the way seamers Gareth Andrew and Daryl Mitchell have bowled.

"When we field well it gives me the impression that the lads have got the right attitude towards the game," he said.

"There has also been some good batting but it has been difficult for the bowlers at times.

"But people like Gareth Andrew have had tremendous figures in both games he has bowled, while Daryl Mitchell is another one who has bowled well."

The Bears have signed New Zealand international Chris Martin for the Twenty20 competition, but they will be without England Twenty20 specialist Darren Maddy who has a broken thumb.

Worcestershire (from): Hick, Solanki (capt), Moeen, Smith, Moore, Davies (wkt), Mitchell, Andrew, Kabir, Magoffin, Jones, Whelan.

5:20pm Monday 16th June 2008

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