FEARLESS Tom Moody goes into tomorrow's promotion showdown at Essex confident that Worcestershire can gun down the leaders.

In-form Worcestershire travel to the Frizzell County Championship Division Two leaders knowing that a win at Southend would put the County in a strong position in the promotion race.

And New Road's director of cricket was in confident mood ahead of the four-day clash.

"It's a big game and one we have obviously identified as a match we must take points from," he said.

"They are the leaders and if we can pull out a victory it will mean a huge points gain on them. Every game we play is important but this one has extra significance.

"They'll be up for the game but we are certainly playing good cricket and want to continue the form we've been showing recently."

Moody looks likely to name the same side which drew with Middlesex last week in the Championship although spinner Matthew Rawnsley has been included in the 12-man squad.

Stephen Peters again misses out with Moody wanting the former Essex batsman to have more time in the middle before his first-class return.

"He's been out for seven weeks after breaking his thumb and only had a couple of hits after recovering," Moody added. "I just felt he needed a bit more time in the middle before he was thrown into an important match."

Worcestershire have already lost twice to Essex this season -- a five-wicket Championship defeat at New Road followed by the Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final loss at Chelmsford.

Moody, though, is unconcerned by the record with the County only having tasted defeat twice in 15 matches while Essex go into the game on the back of an eight-wicket drubbing at Glamorgan.

"They are a side who had been in very good one-day and four-day form," said Moody. "We all have hiccups but I think the game will be a competitive one.

"We go into the match happy with our form after controlling the game down at Middlesex. I think what we all want is four days of good weather because that gives us a good chance.

"The only thing we weren't happy with at Lord's was a few missed chances in the field and we'll be looking to improve on that."

Worcestershire (from): Weston, Singh, Hick, Smith, Solanki, Leatherdale, Batty, Rhodes, Bichel, Kabir Ali, Sheriyar, Rawnsley.

n England's last match before Saturday's NatWest Series final was delayed today because of heavy rain at the AMP Oval.

The match, a dress-rehearsal of the final, which will be against India at Lord's at the weekend, is largely academic although both sides are keen to play as much one-day cricket as possible ahead of next February's World Cup.