Ateeq Javid knows Essex will provide a big obstacle to Warwickshire’s progress when they visit Edgbaston in the Royal London Cup quarter-finals tomorrow.
But the Birmingham-born all-rounder is confident that if the Bears play to their best, they will take some beating – as Essex discovered when the two teams were paired in a quickfire, knockout double-header two years ago.
In 2014, Warwickshire travelled to Chelmsford in the last eight of the NatWestT20Blast and Royal London Cup and won by 19 runs and 67 runs respectively.
Javid played in both games and is aiming to bank some more happy memories against the south-eastern county.
“We have some fond memories of playing against Essex in limited-overs cricket in recent seasons,” he said. “But that won’t county for anything this week.
“They are a good team with some really good players and, in a quarter-final, anything can happen. We know that, so in a big one-off game like this, you just have to go out there and play your game and if you do it well, hopefully that little bit of luck comes your way, and you get the result.
“We played really well against Yorkshire in the last group game which shows what we can do, but that game is gone now and we have another big test at Edgbaston. Essex are a strong side and we have just got to get back to doing what we have done well.”
Warwickshire have the added incentive of the prospect of a home semi-final on the path to a Lord’s final with the winners of their tussle with Essex already drawn to be at home to Somerset or Worcestershire in the last four.
That raises the alluring prospect of a Bears v Pears duel for a place in the final – but it is a possibility that will be put right out of mind on Wednesday as Warwickshire focus all their energies on beating Essex.
“It is great to have the carrot of a home draw in the semi-final but that means nothing if we don’t get it right against Essex,” Javid said. “We have been quite consistent in 50-over cricket this season but now we are into the knock-out stage so know we need to be right on our game.
“It’s important that we focus on the little things and try to win every ball and every over play as a team because, if you do that, quite often the result will look after itself.”
Tickets
Tickets for Warwickshire’s Royal London One-Day Cup Quarter Final against Essex are available priced at £10 for Members and £15 for General Adult admission. Under 16s are completely FREE.
Please click here or call the Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 1902 to purchase.
