IT seems an ironic twist of fate could help Worcester-shire bounce straight back to the top flight of the County Championship as the Division Two winners.

Having had their previous campaign so badly blighted by the rain which played a part in their relegation, the second tier leaders have the wet stuff to thank for them currently sitting proudly at the summit.

Neighbours and title rivals Warwickshire played their game in hand over the New Road side last week against Essex at Edgbaston.

After two days of rain, the Bears could only manage a seven-point draw leaving Steve Rhodes’ men 10 points clear despite both Warwickshire and Essex trying to lose the match inside two days.

Worcestershire head to Colchester on Wednesday looking to further their credentials as Division Two champions-in-waiting.

The New Road side didn’t have a game last week, allowing the players to rest their battle-weary bodies for the final assault.

With just four games remaining in the County Championship, last term’s Division One basement boys have been the shining light in the second division. Not only do they boast the division’s top two batsmen in skipper Vikram Solanki and opener Stephen Moore, they are two of the three leading men in the country as well.

Kabir Ali, who has not played first-class cricket since the demolition of Gloucester-shire at the beginning of the month, remains the leading wicket-taker in the land, while Simon Jones’ comeback year has gone better than anyone could have hoped — he has snared 42 wickets at little more than 18 apiece.

Worcestershire boast the in-form wicketkeeper in Steven Davies, while veteran Graeme Hick’s hand-eye co-ordination is showing no signs of waning as he leads the way with the number of catches.

And if truth be told, Worcestershire only just look like they are getting into the swing of things.

Ben Smith has picked up his form with the bat and while he stills craves his first century in more than two years, the 36-year-old is looking assured with every stroke he plays.

Gareth Andrew seems to be getting used to being a County Championship regular in his first campaign in four-day cricket in three years.

The former Somerset man is now bowling some tidy spells and, while he is not getting the same volume of wickets as Kabir and Jones, he is doing a useful job for the team.

Essex, fresh from their Friends Provident Trophy final win, will be hoping that the week off Worcestershire have had will have broken their momentum — as will the rest of the division. But, having suffered a 75-run defeat at New Road, Essex will not be looking forward to the Coun-ty’s visit.

After the trip to Colchester, Rhodes’ men have another week off from the championship before hosting Warwickshire in a clash which will go a long way to deciding which part of the Midlands the Division Two title ends up in.

The weather robbed Worcestershire of victory at Edgbaston in the opening game of the season, while Jones has a score to settle with Neil Car-ter — his short ball on the first day of the campaign put the Welshman out of action for a fortnight due to a neck injury.

Then it’s a trip to Glamorgan before wrapping the season up with a visit from Mid-dlesex where Solanki and Co will be hoping they can para-de their new crown.