DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody is urging his stunned Worcestershire players to overcome yesterday's disappointing seven-wicket County Championship Division Two defeat against Nottinghamshire by clinching a winning clean-sweep over Derbyshire this week.
The County are involved in a floodlit Norwich Union Division Two clash at Derby today and will be back there on Thursday for a Championship match.
Moody said: "Obviously nobody likes to lose, but today is a critical game for us in a different competition. We are certainly up there in that and it would be nice to come away with a win and also in the Championship game. So we are there for a clean sweep."
Notts took just 65 minutes yesterday to reach their formidable victory target of 458. They resumed on 367-3 with Blewett going on to make an undefeated 134 with 19 fours off 218 balls.
Usman Afzaal, 63 overnight, fell to paceman Alamgir Sheriyar for 88 after putting on 145 in 43 overs with Blewett, who guided Notts to victory with Paul Johnson (26 not out).
It was the biggest target they have ever made in a fourth innings to win a Championship match.
For the County it was the highest winning total they have conceded in a fourth innings, eclipsing the 405-6 against Essex at New Road in 1994.
Moody, however, admitted that yesterday's setback was particularly disappointing.
He said: "I just feel it sums up the game. You can't take it for granted at any stage. Who would ever have thought that the wicket would have got as flat as it did get here at Worcester?
"I thought 450-plus is plenty really for a second innings chase, but I just think you have got to give credit where it's due and the Notts batsmen batted extremely well, They all applied themselves and stayed there to make sure they got a big score."
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