Alex Gidman is delighted with the way Worcestershire Rapids have handled being Vitality Blast champions but knows there is still work to do to seal a quarter-final spot.
The Rapids took a giant step towards securing a top four place with yesterday evening’s impressive nine wicket win over Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston.
It cemented second spot in the North Group with three games remaining.
But up next are home matches against current group leaders Lancashire Lightning tomorrow (2.30pm) and Notts Outlaws on Wednesday (4pm) before an away trip to Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Friday.
Gidman said: “Every game is a big game in this competition. The value of this competition is so big that arguably it is the biggest competition in our domestic game so everyone is bang up for it.
“Everyone wants to do well, qualify and reach finals day. We are no different.
“As champions, this competition has been tougher for us because teams have played better against us and I think we have dealt really well with it so far.
“We are looking forward to taking on one of the best teams in the competition this year on Sunday and then on Wednesday a very strong team in Notts.
“We’ve still got to win a game or two in the group stages to get through to the quarter-finals and that’s our focus and then anything can happen in a one-off quarter-final.
“The weather has played a huge part in this competition and what it has done is keep a lot of teams in touch.
“That win (at Edgbaston) puts us in a really good position but there are still three games left and a lot of teams can get close to us.
“I haven’t looked at the detail of who plays each other and if teams are going to knock each other out, so to speak.
“But if we were offered 14 points with three games to go, we would have bitten your hand off.
“The lads are really excited, playing some good cricket, and looking forward to the next three games.”
