Worcestershire Rapids skipper Daryl Mitchell says the "balance of power" has switched to the North Division in the NatWest T20 Blast.
Mitchell believes every match in the North Division "is very difficult" ahead of tomorrow evening's away clash with Durham Jets (7pm start) under floodlights at the Emirates ICG.
The group is wide open with Worcestershire currently in sixth spot and Durham top – but they have played three games more than the Rapids.
Mitchell said: "All the games in the North Division are very difficult and I think the balance of power have probably shifted to the North over the Southern Division in the last couple of years.
"It will be a tough task to progress beyond the group but if you can win a succession of matches, you are in with a chance of getting through.
"I think we highlighted the importance ofputting a run together last season when we won six games in a row to make it through to the knockout stages."
The Rapids will be looking to return to winning ways after the narrow 11 run home defeat by Notts Outlaws in Sunday's entertaining clash.
Mitchell said: "Durham is a big game for us and, having lost to Notts, it has become an even bigger game.
"We already know Durham are a very good side but we are very excited about the match.
"We know we probably have to win eight of our 14 matches in the group to qualify for the knockout stages."
