Monday, September 12th, 2016

Mitchell Targeting Runners-Up Spot As County Aim To Bounce Back

Mitchell Targeting Runners-Up Spot As County Aim To Bounce Back

Skipper Daryl Mitchell is targeting two wins and runners-up spot as Worcestershire look to regain their form in the finale to the campaign.

The County's promotion hopes may have been ended for 2016 with Mitchell pinpointing inconsistency with the bat as a key factor in a recent dip in fortunes.

But the opener is looking for a positive conclusion, starting with the Specsavers County Championship clash with Sussex at Hove starting on Monday.

Mitchell said: "We have two games left and we have to try to win them.

"It’s a long winter and we have a date in our diary to review the season as a group towards the end of the year so we have to put that to one side and focus on the next game.

"We have to try to get as many points as we can and win the game and then come back to Worcester to play Derbyshire in the last game of the season and try to do the same.

"We have gone down to sixth in the table but Northants have played a game more than us and only have a couple more points so we could overcome that pretty easily if we win the next two games.

"We think second place is still possible. That’s our very simple goal and that’s all we can do now our promotion hopes have gone."

Worcestershire have had a week's break from action since the innings setback against Essex at Chelmsford.

Mitchell said: "At this stage of the season you’d rather have kept going than taken a break but it has given us an opportunity to practise.

"We were disappointed with the way we batted at Essex, particularly in the first innings. We won the toss on a really good pitch and didn’t get enough runs.

"There were some pretty soft dismissals and it set the tone for the game and then it was very difficult to drag ourselves back into it. Essex batted very well and got a big score.

"We could have bowled better and we didn’t use the new ball well on the first evening.

"But it was our batting that let us down and cost us the game. I think our dip has been down to inconsistency with the bat.

"We did very well with the bat at the start of the season and got maximum batting points for the first five games.

"In the second half of the season we have had some very good chases, knocking off around 370 to win against Leicestershire and 400 to beat Northamptonshire so we have got our runs at times.

"Unfortunately, we have been too inconsistent with the bat in three out of the last four games and we have not put enough big scores on the board in the first innings."

West Indian paceman Miguel Cummins will be seeking his first wickets for the County after making his debut at Chelmsford.

Mitchell said: "Miguel was probably the pick of our bowlers down at Essex and bowled pretty well on a flat wicket.

"He’s got a bit more pace than the rest of the guys and he’s fitted in well.

"Our dressing room is a fairly easy one to slot into and I am sure he will be giving his all in the last two games.

"Miguel has got a lot to prove still and is only a young lad who is starting to make his way in Test cricket. I am sure he will want to show he can bowl well in English conditions."