SKIPPER Ben Smith has dubbed Worcestershire Royals' National League Division One clash against Surrey Lions at New Road on Monday as 'a massive game'.

He's urging on his troops to build on the encouraging start they made to their limited-over campaign last Sunday by beating Gloucestershire by 35 runs at Bristol.

He said: "To beat Gloucestershire was a good start because they are always a tough team.

"I don't think they were quite themselves, but we beat them well. I know it was a Duckworth-Lewis match but basically we were miles ahead.

"There is a bit of pressure on us in this competition because we did so well in it last year.

"If things hadn't gone well at Bristol and say we didn't get points out of the Surrey game then if you're not careful two games have slipped you by," said Smith.

"After coming runners-up last year that would have been a little bit of a rude shock.

"So Monday is going to be a massive game. It's on television and there's going to be a good crowd.

"If you can win your home games in both forms of cricket then you know you are going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

Surrey, who were promoted to the top flight last year after finishing runners-up to Second Division champions Gloucestershire, began their one-day season with a 15 runs win over Essex Eagles at Chelmsford last Sunday.

Worcestershire, last season's Division One runners-up, have not played Surrey in any competition home or away since July 1999.

Meanwhile, rain prevented any play yesterday in Worcestershire's Frizzell County Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire at New Road.

Smith's men were hoping for better luck today when Northamptonshire were due to resume their first innings on 196-6 off 63 overs in reply the County's 236.

Phil Jaques, a newly-recruited English qualified left-hander from Australia, was unbeaten overnight on 86.