Ben Cox to captain Worcestershire Rapids in T20 Blast in absence of Moeen Ali

Picked for the Sri Lanka T20s and ODIs and likely to be involved against Pakistan the club have confirmed a contingency plan

T20 Blast fixtures 2021: Full schedule, dates

Worcestershire Rapids will be led by Ben Cox during the remainder of their T20 Blast group campaign while Moeen Ali is on England duty.

Moeen has been picked for the upcoming Sri Lanka T20s and ODIs and is likely to be involved against Pakistan in July.

Should he remain with England for the duration of their white-ball schedule he would be unavailable for all nine of Worcestershire's remaining preliminary stage matches, which conclude on July 18.

Involvement in the third India Test at Headingley would also rule him out of the quarter-finals in August.

Cox has been confirmed to lead the team starting with the clash against reigning champions Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge on Tuesday (June 22).

The 29-year-old has twice led Worcestershire before in matches against Cambridge University and Leicestershire in the County Championship in 2019.

“I think Ben can thrive off having the responsibility of being captain," said Ali, whose Worcestershire side have won two of their five matches.

"I think he is a top guy and is well respected amongst the team, and I think he will lead the boys really well.

"There were several candidates who have done it before, but I think it is nice to give Ben a go, and I’m sure he will go well in the role.

"He has got a good head on his shoulders and a good knowledge of the game.

"Ben has been around for many years now, and he knows the game well. I think he will do an outstanding job."