Worcestershire had to surrender dwelling benefit for his or her quarter-final as New Highway was being utilized by England Lions and Sri Lanka.
It appeared like it will not matter after they made 286-9, due to a classy 112 from skipper Jake Libby, this 12 months’s One-Day Cup main run-scorer, who constructed on the 54 off 64 balls from Bears outdated boy Ed Pollock.
Warwickshire appeared in serious trouble at 77-5, together with the lack of captain Ed Barnard for 29 after which Ethan Brookes’ run-out of his former Bears team-mate Michael Burgess from cowl level.
As he dived to cease the Warwickshire keeper’s cowl drive, Burgess aborted his run however simply too late as Brookes stood up and threw down one stump on the striker’s finish.
However Smith eclipsed his earlier Checklist A finest rating of 44 as the sport was turned in a sixth-wicket stand of 181 in 163 balls between Smith and Rhodes, who was out with 4 overs left however that they had nonetheless finished sufficient to assist the Bears get dwelling with six balls to spare.
“It was actually particular,” Smith advised BBC Radio WM. “In different video games I’ve gone in several conditions so it was good to have a little bit of a problem and see how I may strategy that and fortunately it went nicely.
“It was a really lengthy highway to begin with, however I like batting with Rhodesy and going on the market to bat with him. We simply appeared to take pleasure in ourselves and take it step-by-step.
“The nerves have been undoubtedly there, however it’s only a case of turning them into pleasure and I discovered myself within the zone.”
For all the numerous connections between the 2 neighbouring groups, together with a Worcestershire aspect run by Ashley Giles and Alan Richardson, the very best was arguably Bears opener Theo Wylie and Pears paceman Jack Residence, who have been each within the Shrewsbury College first XI this summer time and solely left final month.
