SKIPPER Daryl Mitchell has hailed the impact of 22-year-old George Rhodes as Worcestershire Rapids bid to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-finals.

The County must win their final North Group match at Derbyshire Falcons tonight (7pm) and pray other results in the final two rounds go their way.

Rapids are sixth in their section and level on points with fourth-placed Durham and fifth-placed Yorkshire.

However, only the top four teams will progress to the knockout stages and Rapids have an inferior run-rate to Durham and Yorkshire, who have played one game fewer.

Rhodes is expected to keep his place in the side after a starring role last Friday as Rapids recorded a thrilling five-wicket win against local rivals Birmingham Bears at New Road.

Paceman Kyle Abbott has been struggling with a foot injury and New Zealander Matt Henry has finished his stint with the County.

Rhodes, who has played three T20 matches, held a vital catch on the boundary to remove Matthew Wade for 74 and then instigated a Bears collapse, snapping up 4-13, including three wickets in an over, with his off-spin.

The visitors lost their last nine wickets for just 35 runs to be shot out for 164.

Mitchell hit 61 and then Ross Whiteley blazed an unbeaten 42 to guide the County home with four balls left.

“George’s spell against Bears was exceptional and that got us right back in the game,” said Mitchell.

“It was in my mind to bring him on after we got Wade out but it took us 12 overs to do that.

“George is a good all-rounder because he is a good batter as well as he showed in his Championship debut and he’s started his first-class career very well.”

Rhodes is the son of Worcestershire’s director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, and has signed a new two-year contract after being rewarded for his continued development with bat and ball.

Mitchell said: “George will have many more games and I don’t think it will always go as well as it has done to start with but we’ve all had our ups and downs. But he’s started off exceptionally well and it’s great to see.

“He’s done a decent apprenticeship in the second team and played a lot of second team cricket and is a mature lad for his age. He’s made his first-team debut slightly later than some of the lads here but he’s ready to play.”

Worcestershire will be gunning for revenge after crashing to a seven-wicket defeat against Falcons at the beginning of this month.

Wayne Madsen (59 not out) and Chesney Hughes (43 not out) struck an unbroken 97 in nine overs to see the Falcons overhaul Worcestershire’s 185-7 with seven balls to spare.

“They played very well at New Road but we owe them one,” said Mitchell.

“Like last year, it would be good to go up there and turn them over in our final group game.”