On loan Ben Allison says the superb camaraderie in the Worcestershire dressing room is similar to that of his parent club Essex as he looks to end his spell at New Road by helping to seal promotion to Division One of the LV=Insurance County Championship.
Allison has made his mark with important wickets and crucial lower order runs in his two appearances so far against Glamorgan and champions Durham.
Now he is hoping to sign off with Worcestershire by securing the two points needed to go up from Division Two in the final match of the season against Yorkshire at Headingley.
Allison said: “It’s in our own hands and, going into the last three games of the season, if you had said you would only needed two points from the last of those games, you would have taken it.
“We had a great win against Glamorgan and we haven’t lost any points or ground after the Durham game.
“I’m just wanting to contribute as much as I can to these boys going up into Division One next year.
“Going into the next game, it’s about heads down and trying to get those points under our belt, be patient with it, don’t try and push anything too quickly.”
Allison has echoed the sentiments of Logan van Beek in being instantly made welcome.
He said: “The morale in the dressing room has been the same since the moment I arrived. The lads have been great, all quite cheery and it’s quite easy to slot into that dressing room.
“I’ve loved it. I knew a few of the lads previously before joining but it has been a really great experience.
“Essex have themselves have got this kind of camaraderie as well which we pride ourselves on.
“Coming into this dressing room it was going to be a case of ‘would it be fairly similar’ and I’ve just really enjoyed it.”
Allison has been delighted to show his worth with the bat as well as the ball.
He said: “Looking a few years back, one thing I was looking to improve upon was my contribution with the bat.
“Lower order runs are so important and getting those bonus points as well, is important too, and it’s been good to play a part.”
Allison says he can also benefit from the experience of being in the same side as Joe Leach who needs four wickets to reach 50 for the season.
He said: “With coming out on loan, it’s a learning curve. I want to learn, and Leachy has got great experience and pedigree behind him.
“He puts it on the spot, doesn’t miss and he reaps the rewards so plenty to learn.”
