Run-in 'good test' of Bears' Blast hopes - Barnard

Ed Barnard top-scored for the Bears with 49 in Sunday's eight-run loss to Durham

Bears all-rounder Ed Barnard says their remaining four T20 Blast group games are "massive" and will provide a "good test" of the team's knockout credentials.

Barnard's side are in the fourth and final qualifying place for the quarter-finals in North Group but ahead of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire only on net run rate.

Defeat by Durham on Sunday was the Bears' fifth of the competition and leaves them in a scramble to make the top four.

That is a contrast to the past three years when they have finished top of the group on each occasion, enjoying a nine-point cushion over fifth place in 2023 and ending six clear of fifth last year.

"It's a bit different to the last couple of years when we've near enough been home and hosed by this point," Barnard told BBC Radio WM.

"It'll be a good test for us and hopefully we can make the top four and go and make Finals Day from here.

"We've got four massive games coming up but we have every belief in this squad that we'll make it."

Leaders Lancashire are the first of those four games on Wednesday at Edgbaston before Bears visit local rivals Worcestershire two days later.

Bears, trying to make the last eight for the fifth year in a row, take on Northamptonshire at home on 13 July before rounding off the group stage with a trip to Derbyshire on Friday, 18 July.

The visit of Lancashire will be Bears' first T20 at home since 20 June, with the past two games played on the road due to Edgbaston hosting the second Test match between England and India.

Barnard says it has been "tough" not being able to play at home for that long and the whole squad was "looking forward to spending a few days" back on their own patch.

Bears take on a Red Rose side eight points ahead of them and with a line-up including England white-ball stars Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone and Saqib Mahmood.

All-rounder Livingstone might be a doubt for the game after picking up an injury following Lancashire's back-to-back wins against Northants and Derbyshire.

"There are lots of good sides around and they're obviously one," Barnard said.

"They've got lots of good players but we're back at Edgbaston, which we know really well and love playing there.

"Hopefully if we can put a bit of a maker down then it sets us up nicely for those last few games."