WORCESTERSHIRE wicket-keeper, Ben Cox, has insisted his side are focused on finishing as Division Two champions rather than striving to gain promotion.
The county currently have a 25 point lead over second-placed Hampshire and a 33 point cushion and a game in hand on third-placed Surrey with three Championship games to go.
The squad has just returned from a week-long break after their first defeat of the season against rivals Gloucestershire at New Road and Cox said he believes their batteries are now recharged for the final push starting with Sunday’s clash at Derbyshire.
“I know what a lovely ground it is (New Road), but you spend so much time here and it’s just nice to get away for a break and freshen up, freshen the legs and mind, and then you come back in and enjoy the cricket again,” the 22-year-old said.
“It was manic for two weeks and everyone was getting tired, fed up, especially with the loss to Gloucestershire.
“The bowlers will be fresh and we’ve got to focus on three games left, 12 days of cricket left.”
Cox, who recently signed a two-year contract with the club, added they wanted to finish the season with the title.
“We’ve got to give it every little bit of effort because we want to finish number one now. We are not settling for second spot,” he said.
“We’ve been number one for most of the year and there is no reason now for settling for being number two.
“We’re focused on finishing first.”