SAEED Ajmal will captain Worcestershire Rapids in the absence of Daryl Mitchell for today's Royal London One-Day Cup match with Gloucestershire at New Road (10.30am).

The Pakistan spin star will lead the county for the first time after Mitchell suffered a hamstring injury last night when batting during the RLC clash with Surrey under lights at the Kia Oval.

Ajmal will be able to call upon a vast resevoir of experience as the Rapids look to recover from their exertions in London barely 12 hours earlier.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes has made two changes from the side which went down by 36 runs in a brave pursuit of a 328 target against the North Group leaders.

Richard Oliver is recalled to the side in the opening berth in place of Mitchell after being left out of the previous two games in the competition.

Paceman Charlie Morris returns after not playing against Northants Steelbacks and Surrey as part of the rotation policy with the bowlers.

It is Jack Shantry's turn to be rested against Gloucestershire.

Rapids:

Oliver

Kohler-Cadmore

Fell

Clarke

D'Oliveira

Whiteley

Cox (w)

Leach

Barnard

Ajmal (c)

Morris