FOLLOWING our disappointing seven-wicket LV= County Championship Division One defeat to Warwickshire, we have to be more ruthless as a team when we get into decent positions.

I thought we were in command of the game at Edgbaston, at 197-3 and 239-5, but then we lost five wickets for seven runs in the first innings which cost us dearly.

We bowled and fielded well, and took our catches exceptionally in their first innings, and to knock them over for 132 was a really top effort.

Again, it was a commanding position with a 114-run lead going into the third innings of the game but unfortunately we didn’t bat well enough. The second-half collapse of the batting order really cost us and we didn’t get enough runs.

It’s hard to pick on the bowlers because they did so well in the first innings but I thought we didn’t start well with the ball in their second innings either. They were 80-0 off about 20 overs which set the game up for them and from a relatively even contest we turned it back their way.

It’s difficult to take positives when you are beaten but there were some and hopefully we can take a few of them into this week’s LV= County Championship Division One game against Lancashire at New Road.

Chris Russell was exceptional with the ball on his Championship debut and he has been bowling well in the seconds and deserved his opportunity.

Alan Richardson was as reliable as ever and Vikram Solanki contributed in both innings as well — it was nice to see him get a few runs — but I think we need more contributions throughout the team.

Phil Hughes, inset, also played well but we will have to face Lancashire without him following his call-up by Australia ‘A’. He will be sorely missed but it’s good for him and an opportunity to get back in with the Australian set-up.

Phil’s a great lad and deserves his selection with the way he’s performed for us. Hopefully, he’ll come back full of confidence and get some more runs in the final four games.

It won’t be easy against Lancashire but last week we were well in front against a top-of-the-table team so we can beat anybody as long as we put our performance together for four days rather than two.

If we can pick up the winning points, it shoots us up the table a little bit and puts us in a decent position.

The majority of teams in this division are playing for something, whether that be winning the title or avoiding relegation, so all sides have plenty to play for.

There will be pressure on both teams but that’s part and parcel of professional sport, you’ve got to be able to handle that.