SKIPPER Daryl Mitchell believes Worcestershire Rapids will have to win a total of eight matches to qualify for the quarter-finals of this season’s NatWest T20 Blast.

The County have won two of their opening four fixtures in the Northern Group and travel to early leaders Durham Jets tomorrow night (7pm).

Durham are top of the group but have already played seven matches, winning four and losing three.

Worcestershire are sixth in the section after slipping to an 11-run defeat against Nottinghamshire Outlaws at New Road last Sunday.

Mitchell’s men had previously recorded a hard-fought 15-run win at Northamptonshire Steelbacks in a high-scoring clash.

“Durham is a big game for us and, after having lost to Nottinghamshire, it has become an even bigger game,” said Mitchell.

“We already know Durham are a very good side and have played more games than anybody else in the competition but we are excited about the match.

“We know we probably have to win eight out of our 14 matches in the group to qualify for the knock-out stages.”

Worcestershire reached the quarter-finals of the all-action tournament last summer before crashing to a three-wicket reverse against Surrey at The Oval.

Mitchell said: “All the games in the Northern Division are very difficult and I think the balance of power has probably shifted towards the north over the Southern Division in the last couple of years.

“It will be a tough task to progress beyond the group but if you can win a sucession of matches you are in with a chance of getting through.

“I think we highlighted the importance of putting a run together last season when we won six games in a row to make it through to the knock-out stages.”