WORCESTERSHIRE club captain Joe Leach will continue his comeback from injury when he plays in Tuesday’s seconds versus academy 50-over fixture at Kidderminster.

Leach is undergoing the final phase of his rehabilitation after suffering a stress fracture of the lower back midway through last summer.

The 27-year-old will play as a batsman in what has become a traditional early-season encounter in recent years and lead the Royals line-up against the Rapids.

Leach appeared in one game during the County’s pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi, scoring 42 against Essex in a 50-over contest.

Paceman George Scrimshaw is also making good progress after his back and rib problems last summer.

He bowled four overs for the seconds against Shropshire at Wrekin College on Sunday and will play alongside Leach for the Royals XI.

Fellow pros Ollie Westbury and Adam Finch will also represent Royals while George Rhodes, Alex Milton and Pat Brown will be part of the Rapids side.

Play gets under way at Chester Road at 11am.

George Rhodes hit 89 not out as the seconds won by five wickets against Shropshire in the 50-over match after chasing down a target of 174 with nine overs left.

Pete Clark took 3-34 for the County.

Rapids: Rhodes, Edavaleth, Milton, Ul-Hassan, Clist, Holland, Harding, Brown, Stanley, Dickenson, Davis, Baker.

Royals: Westbury, Clarke, Leach, Clark, Hinkley, Lea, Scrimshaw, Cullen, Finch, Parker-Cole, Bragg, Tomson.