WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids and Birmingham Bears will again be battling for the Norman Gifford Trophy in Friday’s sell-out NatWest T20 Blast clash at New Road (5.30pm).

The two teams fought for the rebranded cup, formerly the Mackeson Trophy, for the first time in many seasons last summer when Rapids won both T20 Blast matches.

Norman Gifford MBE captained both Worcestershire and then Warwickshire during a 29-year first-class career.

He took 2,068 first-class wickets and played 15 Test matches and two one-day internationals for England.

Gifford is still an active force at New Road as the County’s spin bowling coach and at March’s annual general meeting was confirmed as club president.

The trophy was named in his honour 12 month ago following a social media campaign among supporters of both teams.

It will be awarded to the winners of Friday's derby and the return clash at Edgbaston.

Warwickshire and Worcestershire competed annually in List A matches for the Mackeson Trophy in the 1960s.

Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach said: “Norman is a legend at New Road and his career figures are incredible.

“It is great he is still passing on his knowledge to our young spinners and to contest a trophy with his name to it gives a bit more spice to games which are already very competitive.

“We were delighted to lift the trophy twice last season and it would be great to keep hold of it via another victory on Friday.”