Assistant-coach Matt Mason admits Worcestershire's Royal London One-Day Cup encounter with Leicestershire at Grace Road today (Thursday) is a "must-win" game.
Worcestershire are currently lying in fifth spot in Group 'A' – with the top four guaranteed a spot in the last eight.
Victory today would leave them having to wait for the outcome of next week's Derbyshire-Gloucestershire tie.
If Derbyshire came out on top then the all so important fourth spot would be decided by net run rate.
But rain delayed the start at Grace Road just as Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore were about to start the county's innings after being put into bat by Leicestershire.
Mason said: "We have to win against Leicestershire and then, if Derbyshire win their final game, I think it will come down to things like run rate.
"We won't find ut our fate until next week. I don't think they play Gloucestershire until next Thursday.
"But first things first, we have to win against Leicestershire and win well.
"We've got a very important Championship game starting on Friday but with the nature of tomorrow being must win, we may look to do the same thing again."
Mason admits the hectic nature of one-day cricket is challenging.
He said: "It is non stop and it does test your squad depth. Thankfully Chris Russell is fit now so that's good. It gives us another option.
"But the guys know as of Monday they will have a little break for a week or so which will give a chance to freshen up so they will give everything they can in the next five days."
Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes has named an unchanged squad – the 11 players in action against Gloucestershire yesterday plus spinner Shaaiq Choudhry and Russell.
Worcestershire (from): Mitchell, Kohler-Cadmore, Fell, Kervezee, Whiteley, Andrew, Cox, Leach, Shantry, McClenaghan, Morris, Russell, Choudhry.
