UP-and-coming left arm spinner Matthew Rawnsley has been a regular wicket-taker in one-day cricket for Worcestershire this season.

And he's convinced it's all down to one very important commodity - confidence.

"I don't know whether I'm bowling better than I have done before, but I feel more confident than I ever have done," said the talented 23-year-old.

"I feel when I'm bowling that it's a natural thing for me to be getting wickets - and that's a great feeling.

"Confidence is a huge thing really, particularly for someone of my age and being a spinner as well.

"It's very easy in one-day games to get down as the more senior players will look to pick on a young spinner in the side and think 'right we have got to dominate this guy.' Whereas if you are reversing the pressure back on them it really does give you a great deal of confidence knowing that you are getting quality wickets against top opposition and players. It's a great boost for you."

Birmingham-born Rawnsley, who made his debut for the County in 1996, gave his confidence a major lift last month when he grabbed 5-26 in his side's victory over Kent Spitfires in a weather-affected National League Division One match at Tunbridge Wells.

They remain his best one-day figures, eclipsing the 4-27 he claimed in Worcestershire's six wicket National League win against Lancashire at Old Trafford on May 23.

Before this season Rawnsley's best one-day return had been 2-29 in Sunday League clash against Essex at Chelmsford in 1997.

He is currently the County's leading wicket-taker in the National League with 12 victims at a cost of 14.08 apiece.

"I was a bit lucky against Kent really with the way the game panned out. They needed to tee off right from the word go, but you have still got to put the ball in the right place."

Since then Rawnsley has registered his best figures in the NatWest Trophy by claiming 2-36 against Devon at Exmouth and is, understandably, happy with the healthy progress he has been making this season.

"I'm really pleased with the way it's been going for me. We have worked in one-day games that I bowl over the wicket from one end and Richard Illingworth round the wicket from the other end and it seems to have worked well."

Determined

Determined Rawnsley has been reaping the rewards this year for his untiring efforts in the winter.

"During the close season I worked very hard on my bowling. Worcestershire train at Evesham indoor cricket centre during the winter and we had practice sessions a couple of times a week. So I went down there for those and then bowled at the under 19s and under 17s all the way through the winter. Then on Saturday mornings I bowled at the trialists as well, so I worked very hard and got a lot of overs in during the winter and it's gone well since them."

Rawnsley now hopes his New Road career will continue to go from strength to strength and has firm views on how he would like to look back on the current campaign.

"By having been an integral part of the one-day side and for us to possibly win Division One of the National League, but obviously our primary aim is to be I the top division of the County Championship next season.

"I do set targets for myself averagewise, but not really for the number of wickets because it purely depends on how may games you are going to play in."

Like every blossoming youngster in the first-class game, Rawnsley has dreams of perhaps one day representing his country.

"Obviously, I'd love to play for England. That's any young cricketer's goal, but I'd like to play an important role in the four-day game for us later this season and then have a good season next year. Then, perhaps get on an England 'A' tour the following winter. Hopefully it will be a natural progression to that."

Rawnsley, meanwhile, has finished top of Worcestershire Seconds' AON Trophy bowling averages.

In three matches he bowled 20 overs and took three wickets at a cost of 14.33 each.

The County's leading wicket-taker in the competition was paceman Chris Liptrot who captured nine at an average of 23.89.

Top of the batting averages was Nathan Batson who stroked 193 runs in five innings at 48.25.

Monday, July 12.