Left-armer David Payne has warned that Gloucestershire have room for improvement as they aim to go back to the top of Group A in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Michael Klinger's side make the daunting trip to the Essex County Ground tomorrow in search of a fourth successive win.
Payne has fond memories of the Chelmsford venue – he took a career-best 7-29 there four years ago – but knows victories at Essex’s home are hard-earned.
And while Gloucestershire have been collecting wins, Payne thinks they need to produce even more to beat the Eagles.
“They are always very hard to beat on their own ground and I don’t think we have a great record there,” he told Gloucestershire’s official website.
“We have made a good start to the Royal London Cup and certainly don’t want to take our foot off the pedal now.
“But we have been 20 per cent down on where we could be in terms of performances and there is a lot more to come from our batting.
“That bodes well for us because when we are firing on all cylinders we will be a match for anyone. We need to step up our game now if we are to beat Essex.”
Essex head into the contest one place behind Gloucestershire and at the start of three games in four days that could shape their 50-over campaign.
Trips to Derbyshire Falcons and Yorkshire Vikings follow and, after the heartbreak of their NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final exit last weekend, there has been little time to lick their wounds.
Head coach Paul Grayson was pleased with the manner in which his side bounced back to record a six-wicket win over last-placed Lancashire and is hoping for more in a busy period.
“The players were still hurting from the NatWest T20 Blast defeat by Birmingham Bears so all credit to our players for their professionalism on Tuesday, I thought they were outstanding,” he said.
“It was nice to get back on the winning trail again after a couple of losses and we now have a really important week ahead in this format.
“We are seeing players improving and progressing all the time. For example, Tom Westley is having an outstanding season in all formats, he’s really matured as a player. He’s led the batting this year and I’m really pleased for him.”
Yorkshire moved to the top of the group with a comfortable six-wicket win over Worcestershire on Thursday and travel to Leicestershire Foxes tomorrow.
The match is the first of three home games in a row for the Foxes, who beat Hampshire beat six wickets on Wednesday thanks to a Niall O’Brien century.
Hampshire have won just one of their opening four games and host Northants Steelbacks at the Ageas Bowl.
Wicketkeeper Adam Wheater misses due to suspension with Michael Bates his replacement as Hampshire’s only change.
In Group B, Kent Spitfires face the first of two matches in the midlands in a row when they take on Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.
Victory will take the Spitfires back to the top of the group, ahead of Somerset, although they will be without skipper Rob Key (hamstring) and Brendan Nash (side strain).
David Griffith return from injury in place of Nash while Sam Northeast will again lead the side in Key's absence.
The Oulaws are without captain James Taylor and Alex Hales due to England Lions duty, with young duo Sam Kelsall and Sam Wood drafted in. Chris Read is set to play his 250th limited overs game for the Outlaws.
Glamorgan will bid to beat Durham in a limited overs match at the SWALEC Stadium for the first time in 12 years while Sussex host Middlesex at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground.