Smith looking for winning finish

Former skipper Ben Smith hit his first hundred for two seasons on Sunday

Ben Smith says Worcestershire will not be daunted by this weekend's Pro 40 play-off decider in South Wales.

Despite Smith's ton at Kidderminster on Sunday, Worcestershire's defeat to Middlesex means they now have to beat Glamorgan in Cardiff to stay up.

"It's tough," he said. "But we had to go to Gloucester and win there to take the title last season, so we won't worry about going to Cardiff."

First they must face Middlesex again this week in a vital Championship game.

Eight points would be enough to ensure promotion back to the top flight after just one season back in Division Two, regardless of how fourth-placed Essex, the only team who can deny them, get on in the first of their final two games.

But Smith told BBC Hereford and Worcester that it is now important that they get over Sunday's failure to secure their safety in the Pro 40 - and concentrate on their final four-day game.

"It would have been nice to get over the line and not play again next Sunday," said Smith. "But we now have to look forward to a good solid four days against Middlesex and do well in all three disciplines.

"If we win, we can guarantee promotion in the County Championship, and then think about the game on Sunday.

"If we do well in the four-day game that will give us some momentum for the one-dayer. We all knew the importance today and we will next week."

There will be full ball-by-ball coverage of the County Championship match between Worcestershire and Middlesex at Kidderminster on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 738 am and on line at bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester.