Worcestershire vs Gloucestershire Match Preview – OneDay Cup 2025

Date: Sunday, 17 August 2025
Time: 11:00 GMT (Starts at 15:30 local time)
Venue: County Ground, New Road, Worcester

Match Overview

The OneDay Cup 2025 continues with a highly anticipated clash between Worcestershire and Gloucestershire at the historic County Ground, New Road in Worcester. This encounter promises to be a thrilling contest between two strong sides, each coming into the match in fine form.

With the tournament in full swing and the race for the top of the group intensifying, this match is set to be a crucial one for both teams. The weather is expected to be clear, offering ideal batting conditions, while the toss could prove pivotal in determining the game's outcome.

Team Form and Recent Performance

Worcestershire

Worcestershire have started the season strongly, remaining unbeaten in their first two matches. Their disciplined batting and aggressive bowling have been the key to their success. The team is led by the experienced Brett D'Oliveira, who has been in excellent form, having recently scored a vital century. The likes of Jake Libby and Henry Cullen have also been instrumental in their victories.

Worcestershire’s bowling attack, led by Ben Allison, has been effective in containing opposition batters and picking up crucial wickets.

• Predicted Playing XI:
  Isaac Mohammed, Brett D'Oliveira, Rob Jones, Jake Libby, Henry Cullen, Kashif Ali, Ethan Brookes, Matthew Waite, Fateh Singh, Jack Home, Khurram Shahzad

Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire, on the other hand, have also begun the tournament impressively, securing two consecutive wins and currently sitting second in the group. Their balanced team has performed well with both bat and ball, and their consistency has made them a formidable opponent.

The star performer for Gloucestershire is James Bracey, who has been a consistent run-scorer, while Josh Shaw has been their most effective bowler. The inclusion of Cameron Bancroft in the lineup adds a powerful top-order threat.

• Predicted Playing XI:
  Cameron Bancroft, Oliver Price, Ben Charlesworth, Jack Taylor, James Bracey, Graeme van Buuren, Tommy Boorman, Zaman Akhter, Matt Taylor, Craig Miles, Josh Shaw

Head-to-Head Statistics

Worcestershire and Gloucestershire have a long-standing rivalry in domestic cricket, with the two sides having faced each other frequently in the OneDay Cup and other formats.

• Worcestershire wins: 33
• Gloucestershire wins: 26

Worcestershire hold a slight edge in the head-to-head record, which could give them a psychological boost ahead of the match.

Key Players to Watch

Toss Prediction

Based on historical trends, the team batting first has had a slight advantage in recent matches at this venue. A strong start in the powerplay could set the tone for the game, making the toss an important factor.

Weather Forecast

The weather is expected to remain clear throughout the match, with no threat of rain or dew. This should favor the batters, and the toss is likely to be a crucial factor in determining the game's momentum.

Match Prediction

Worcestershire are slight favorites in this encounter, with a 55% chance of winning compared to Gloucestershire's 45%. Their strong start to the season and the form of key players like D'Oliveira and Libby give them the edge.

• Predicted Winner: Worcestershire
• Match Odds: Worcestershire 1.90

Final Thoughts

This is a mouthwatering clash between two strong OneDay Cup sides, both of whom are in great form. Worcestershire's experience and balanced squad should give them an advantage, but Gloucestershire's consistency and firepower cannot be ignored.

The game is set to be a tight contest with a lot at stake, and fans can look forward to an exciting display of cricket at New Road.

Watch the match live at: Official OneDay Cup 2025 Website
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