Worcestershire had to surrender dwelling benefit for his or her quarter-final as New Street was being utilized by England Lions and Sri Lanka.
It seemed like it could not matter once they made 286-9, because of a classy 112 from skipper Jake Libby, this yr’s One-Day Cup main run-scorer, who constructed on the 54 off 64 balls from Bears outdated boy Ed Pollock.
Warwickshire seemed 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 Listing 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 accomplished sufficient to assist the Bears get dwelling with six balls to spare.
“It was actually particular,” Smith informed 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 might method that and fortunately it went properly.
“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 seemed to get pleasure from ourselves and take it step-by-step.
“The nerves had been positively 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, one of the best was arguably Bears opener Theo Wylie and Pears paceman Jack Dwelling, who had been each within the Shrewsbury College first XI this summer season and solely left final month.
