Northamptonshire Steelbacks prepare for their big Twenty20 showdown with Essex Eagles on Monday with a warning from Johan van der Wath.
Not thinking too far ahead is vital if the Steelbacks are to beat Essex in their Twenty20 Cup quarter-final on Monday.
The finals day – with all its glitz and glamour – is just 40 overs of cricket away.
But, if the County are to break their duc
k and make it to the showpiece event, they must not get ahead of themselves.
The tricky task of seeing off the Eagles on their own turf must stay at the front of their minds, according to Johan van der Wath.
"We back ourselves to beat anyone," the quick bowler stated. "But we know we have a difficult game and can't allow ourselves to think of the finals day until we are actually there.
"If we take our eye off Essex then we will not make it.
"It will be tough down there. They have some good
players and it is definitely not the easiest ground to contain the batsmen on."
Van der Wath has been one of the stars of the
competition so far for the Steelbacks. However, his opening spells have perhaps not received the praise
they deserve and have been overshadowed by the efforts of Andrew Hall at the end of the innings.
Not that van der Wath, who admits to not being a great fan of the Twenty20 format, minds missing out on the acclaim.
He added: "That's how it goes sometimes. My job is to get a wicket or two up front and put the pressure on.
"We have two guys who bowl very well at the end so if I can set things up for them that is great. The bowling unit always works together. It's a combined effort so if he takes the wickets and we win then that is great."
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