Worcestershire'S Steve Rhodes is urging England to pick his in-form team-mate Ben Smith for their World Cup squad.

Former England wicket-keeper Rhodes believes that Smith has all the qualities to fill the gap in the middle order caused by Graham Thorpe's retirement from limited overs cricket at international level.

The 30-year-old player has been in inspired form for Worcestershire since moving to New Road last winter after more than a decade with Leicestershire.

Smith has been a key figure in Worcestershire's rise to the top of Division One in the National League and to second spot in Division Two of the County Championship.

But Rhodes believes the Corby-born Smith is of a high enough quality to make the next step forward with his country.

Rhodes said: "Ben has been in marvellous one-day and four-day form and the way he has gone about his business for Worcestershire has been a credit to him and he is a model professional.

"This guy is above this standard and he should be, without a doubt, one to watch for England for the World Cup. They should get this bloke involved.

"He is a terrific fielder, absolute dynamite in running between the wickets, and the way he can work the ball around, manipulate the strike and see games through to a successful conclusion fits the bill for England.

"You might think that I am biased but I also held him in that same high regard with Leicestershire, for whom he did the business for season after season."

Meanwhile, Worcestershire have narrowed the gap on leaders Middlesex to five points in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two.

This follows their eight-wicket victory over Northamptonshire at New Road, which keeps them in second place.

P W L D Ba Bo Pts

Middlesex 9 5 0 4 40 23 139.00

Worcestershire 10 5 2 3 36 26 134.00

Essex 10 5 3 2 28 28 123.50

Derbyshire 9 5 3 1 24 27 114.00

Glamorgan 9 4 4 1 17 25 94.00

Nottinghamshire 8 4 4 0 15 24 86.50

Northamptonshire 9 2 6 1 24 22 73.50

Gloucestershire 9 1 5 3 22 26 71.25

Durham 9 1 5 3 17 22 63.00