WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids' assistant coach Alan Richardson says his side will look to be “brave, smart and positive” as their bid to qualify for the Royal London Cup knockout stages reaches its climax

In contrast to their other showings in the competition, the Rapids were below par in the setback against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

But they are still well placed in third spot to qualify, and two more wins would take them to 10 points from eight games and give them a good chance of qualifying.

They take on the Sussex Sharks tomorrow morning as they look to cement their top three place.

Richardson, who is overseeing the competition with Kadeer Ali, said: "Three big games? I think they are all important.

"We would be foolish to pinpoint any of them, but we want to win the very next game that is put in front of us.

"You look at the fixtures, and everyone has still got to play each other at the top.

"Essex have still got to play Durham, Durham have got to play Lancashire, and we’ve got to play Lancashire (Lightning) and Durham after Sussex (Sharks) on Friday.

"Those guys that have had good starts, alongside us, they’ve all got to play each other.

"It’s a case of ‘don’t get too far ahead of ourselves’.

"But, if we can get back into it and put in a couple of good performances, it will give us a chance to win at least two of the games, and you’d think that would get us through."

Richardson says the Rapids will look to address where they were not completely on top of their game against Hampshire.

He said: “You want to be as rational about it as possible, so you look at the stuff we didn’t do quite as well on Wednesday.

“We were a little bit off in all three areas and, if you are like that against any of the sides in our group, there is a chance you are not going to win games.

“We can address those areas, but we also have to look at the positives, and that’s the way to move forward.

“We talk about it in this group. We’ve got to be brave, smart and positive.”

The Rapids will select from a 14 strong squad against the Sharks, with pace bowler Ben Parker returning after playing for Worcestershire Under-18s.