WORCESTERSHIRE director of cricket Steve Rhodes has said he is taking nothing for granted despite his side’s encouraging start in the T20 Blast.
The Rapids followed up an impressive win against Nottinghamshire last week with victory over reigning T20 defending champions Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Friday at New Road.
The back-to-back victories have pushed Worcestershire up to fourth place in the competition’s North group with a top four finish required to reach the knock-out stages starting in July.
Worcestershire have yet to reach the competition’s flagship Finals Day since its launch eleven years ago. To achieve it the New Road side would need to finish in the top four of the group then win in the quarter-finals.
But Rhodes said there was still a long way to go before any of his players could start thinking about making history.
“As with all wins you’ve then got to get yourself down from that high because the games come thick and fast,” he said.
“I don’t no a weak side in this competition. It’s a case of not getting too carried away.
“We would love to get there (Finals Day) for the crowd but that’s a long way off at the moment and silly to think too far ahead because we’ve got a long road to try and get qualification first of all.
“It’s just one step at a time for us. It’s 14 games in a spaced out period like a league situation and we’ve got to make sure we qualify.”
The New Road boss praised on-trial star Richard Oliver who hit 77 from 43 balls and also hinted a contract for the 24-year-old could be on the cards.
“He has had contributions in three of the four games so far and he is really liked at the club,” Rhodes added.
“Somewhere down the line, you can’t play like that without getting a go.
“He doesn’t look out of place and that is what has impressed me. He is 24 and has got a great cricket brain.”