WORCESTERSHIRE skipper Daryl Mitchell wants to this week seal the victory he felt his side deserved at Hampshire earlier in the season.

Both teams are in the LV= County Championship Division One bottom two with Worcestershire five points ahead of their visitors but 13 behind Nottinghamshire after last week’s 113-run Trent Bridge loss.

Early last month, the County dominated against Hampshire in Southampton, scoring 403-5 declared as Mitchell shone with 142 not out.

But rain delays and a stubborn second innings from the hosts prevented Worcestershire claiming a vital victory, leaving them with a draw. The sides meet again at New Road from today (11am).

Mitchell said: “We lost a lot of time at Hampshire to the weather but I felt we were in the box seat for the whole game.

“We bowled and batted very well to get a big lead but you cannot do a lot about the conditions. I hope we can get a full game in this time.

“However, what’s gone before doesn’t have an impact on this match and we have to set the tone from the first session. We need a good performance over four days.”

There is plenty of cricket left this season but Badsey-born Mitchell, 31, realises Worcestershire badly need a victory, particularly against their relegation rivals.

He said: “All the Championship games are crucial. With one victory out of nine, we need to win three or four from the seven matches left.

“It did not help to lose to a side near the bottom with us in Nottinghamshire but one win will take us back up there with them. This week is our first opportunity to get a victory since that setback.

“Hampshire are a good side, particularly on the batting front, and I’m surprised they haven’t scored more runs.

“They have a Test match ground, so their finances are stronger, and they have more international and county experience in their squad.

“But they are all good teams in this division and Notts had seven internationals in their side.”