Head Coach Alan Richardson is looking for Worcestershire to build on securing Vitality County Championship Division One cricket for another season in 2025 and said: “We should celebrate but also think about pushing on.”
Worcestershire have guaranteed back to back seasons in the top flight for only the second time since the competition split into two divisions in 2000 despite a 235 run defeat against Hampshire which ended their four game unbeaten run.
It is a superb effort after the well documented challenges the club have faced on and off the pitch during the past 12 months.
Richardson said: “We have to acknowledge something that we’ve only achieved once before since the two divisions came in.
“That is something we should be very proud of but something we shouldn’t just sit back on and pat ourselves on the back for two long.
“We should celebrate but also think about pushing on.
“The last time we stayed up in 2011 we won four, lost 11 and drew one and finished seventh and it would be nice to put our stamp on this season and finish as strongly as we can.
“It is difficult to work out whether this season is better statistically or not than 2011 but it feels we are pushing in the right direction.”
Richardson wants Worcestershire to bounce back from the game at the Utilita Bowl when they face Lancashire at Visit Worcestershire New Road starting on Thursday.
He said: “The score is probably a fair reflection of the two performances from the sides and obviously always disappointing to lose a game of cricket.
“The performance probably never really gave us a chance of winning a game of cricket but we played a very good side at home who have played some very good cricket. In their last home game, they beat Surrey.”
On loan spinner Amar Virdi picked up nine wickets in the game and has made a big impression at Visit Worcestershire New Road.
Richardson said: “It’s been great to have him in and around the group and nice to see him bowl. His first game was at Durham and he didn’t bowl a ball.
“We’ve enjoyed having him around and he has certainly made an impact.
“His contribution at Essex was really important and to bowl Hampshire out twice here was a really good effort and nine wickets was a really good contribution from him.”
Joint leading wicket-taker Tom Taylor was unable to bowl in the second innings and came out to bat with a runner at number 11 in Worcestershire’s second innings.
Richardson said: “He has a tight hamstring, struggled a little bit with it. He has put in a hell of a shift over the last couple of months so we will reassess that and see where we get to for next week.”
