WORCESTERSHIRE will be good enough to make an impression in the Frizzell County Championship Division One next season.
That's the firm belief of New Road chairman John Elliott who is delighted at the way the County have stormed their way to promotion.
He said: "Our lads will be that much more experienced next year and they have got the belief that they can win. I believe we can hold our position with anybody.
"We have got to go into the first division next year and get off to a good start and see what we can do. I believe -- and I know our director of cricket Tom Moody does -- that we have the ability to stay up in division one."
Elliott heaped praise on Moody for the way he has fashioned a top quality squad.
There is no doubt they have the credentials to achieve the County's top priority this season of clinching promotion to the top flight.
"When he first came here as director of cricket Tom said 'give me three years and I'll produce a side capable of winning things'.
"He's now in his third season and we've got promotion. Hopefully we'll win the divisional championship.
"We also got to the final of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy which is one better than last year, so things are going the right way.
"It's what Tom anticipated and what I hoped for this year, but you never know in cricket. But as far as I'm concerned we have done particularly well this year.
"I think the club has gone forward from the committee situation of being a small committee which manage the club more efficiently.
"We have a very good chief executive in Mark Newton, an excellent cricket director and a good team of up-and-coming youngsters who are getting more experienced and beginning to realise that they can win."
Elliott admitted, however, that the County were 'very disappointed' by their efforts in the National League division one this season.
He said: "I can't put my finger on it. Last year we were vying to try and win the league. This year we have been struggling. But that's the pure gem of cricket really.
"You never know what's going to happen do you?
"You never know whose going to win and there's no certainty in cricket."
Elliott accepts there have been many factors in the County's successes this season, but he highlights Australian pace bowler Matt Mason as one New Road player worthy of special praise.
Mason has emerged as a strong candidate for Worcestershire's player-of-the-year award hawving taken a bumper crop of wickets.
Elliott says: "He is one of the guys who has shown tremendous strides and is a great asset to our team.
"To me he's a real gem. He's a 100 per cent trier and one of the best bowlers in the country now.
"Matt has come from nowhere really in two years."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article