Ben Cox says Worcestershire Rapids are capable of recapturing their early season momentum in the NatWest T20 Blast as they gear up for two games in 24 hours in their bid to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time in five years.
The Rapids were the early season pace-setters in the North Group with a series of impressive performances and victories as they carried on last summer's fine form in the competition.
But one point from their last four games – a wash-out at Durham last week – means the battle to reach the last eight is wide open although the Rapids still lie in third spot.
First on the agenda is tomorrow's home clash with Lancashire Lightning and Cox and his team-mates want to avenge the defeat at Emirates Old Trafford two weeks ago when they were bowled out for 53 – their lowest T20 score.
Then on Saturday the Rapids visit Notts Outlaws before hosting the sold out return encounter with The Bears on July 15.
Wicket-keeper Cox, who last week signed a new four year contract, said: "We've struggled. It is a shame last Friday (against Derbyshire) went the way it did.
"Obviously it was a great day for the club, in terms of the YELL4FELL Day for Tom Fell and what we wanted to achieve with Cricket Versus Cancer, and on the pitch I thought we had got enough runs.
"We just need to pick up that momentum again. One win changes everything and I thought that was going to be it.
"It wasn't to be and we have to go onto Friday and we have to beat the big teams effectively, Lancashire, Notts, Warwicks.
"It's up to us because we've put ourselves in this position. There are games we should have won, games we should have taken closer. Also the weather hasn't helped – but neither have we.
"It's on us to turn it around and we are 100 per cent capable of doing it. It's on us to put in the performances to earn the right for qualification."
Regardng the game at Old Trafford, Cox said: "I felt embarrassed that I had put in a performance like that with a Worcestershire badge on. I knows other felt the same.
"It was tough though. They had three spinners and bowled much quicker than we did (as in spin pace) and it was turning.
"If we played the game again, would we bat first? probably, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Their spinners bowled well on a wicket that suited them.
"It would be nice to put it right this week and get our own back on them. You get a couple of points on Friday night and take a bit of momentum into Saturday and go from there."
*Read a full interview with Ben Cox on the Worcestershire CCC website in the next few days.
