BEN Smith has issued a 'get behind us' plea to Worcestershire supporters ahead of Saturday's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy semi-final showdown against Lancashire at New Road.

The County skipper believes the fans will have a crucial part to play in his side's bid to reach the Lord's final for the first time since winning the competition in 1994.

He said: "The crowd will be important as long as they get behind us which they will do if we are playing well enough.

"There will be a big crowd. Some of those obviously will be Lancashire supporters so it will be up to us to get off to a good start and actually prompt our supporters to get behind us."

Smith admits, however, that it will not be an easy game against Lancashire in the first semi-final to be staged at New Road since 1995.

The previous occasion was in the Benson and Hedges Cup when Lancashire were again the visitors.

The match ended in despair for Worcestershire when the Red Rose county, chasing 262 for victory, were 135-6 and then 169-7 before scrambling home thanks to Wasim Akram's 64 off 47 balls and a stand of 69 in seven overs with Warren Hegg.

Smith, however, is determined not to let Lancashire produce any similar kind of heroics in front of the television cameras on Saturday.

He said: "It won't be an easy game and there will be that little extra bit of pressure. But it was good to win under lights and on the television against Glamorgan in the National League last week.

"I think sometimes when you do win on TV the pressures are lifted a little bit from you and we'll hope to repeat that performance. Everybody is available and that will be fantastic for the crowd."

Smith admits it would 'mean everything to me' to lead the County out in the final on August 30.

He said: "It would be a bit of a dream come true to lead the side out at Lord's.

"We have worked very hard this season and everything that's going on isn't just done off the cuff. Everything is done for a reason."

In today's other semi-final at Bristol, Derbyshire had reached 59 for three in the 19th over against Gloucestershire.

Don't miss tomorrow's Evening News for a full preview of the New Road semi-final showdown.