DAN Lawrence says Essex Eagles are steeling themselves for “a crunch week” in the one-day cricket calendar, beginning today against Glamorgan.

Essex welcome the Welsh side to the Essex County Ground in the Royal London One-Day Cup (start 2pm) before back-to-back T20 Blast matches against Middlesex and Glamorgan on Thursday and Friday.

Essex then play their second match at Lords in four days against Middlesex in the One-Day Cup before a trip to Gloucestershire in the same competition a week today.

The Eagles were beaten by Surrey in the One-Day Cup on Sunday but remain top of the table in the southern group, having won three of their opening five ties.

And Lawrence, who has been a steady figure in both competitions so far this campaign, says the squad is under no illusions how important the next seven days are in the context of the season.

“It is a massive week as far as one day cricket goes,” he said. “We want to win both the T20 games and the One Day Cup is important of course. We want to continue the form we have been showing in the tournament and ensure we get the home quarter-final. We always want to play at home as the crowd is so good so that is why this game is so big for us.

“Glamorgan have been up and down this season but when they are good they are very good but we know that if we play to our potential we can win.”

Lawrence, who only turned 19 at the start of the month, has developed quickly this season, adding bowling to his armoury.

He has 12 wickets so far across all three formats, including the dismissal of Jason Roy on Sunday, thanks to some sharp work behind the stumps from James Foster.

And Lawrence says he is hoping to continue his development in the next few months, as they look to respond to the Surrey defeat and extend their advantage at the top of the One-Day Cup table.

“It is a nice thing to be able to bring to the table, especially if I don’t score with the bat,” he said. “I hope the opportunity to bowl more comes along and it has been a bonus.

“I bowled a lot in the winter and that helped me a lot and a lot of credit must go to the captains for putting their faith in me.

“Having Fozzy (Foster) taking such sharp stumpings is great for a bowler as you know any half chance will be taken.

“We haven’t looked much into the Surrey defeat,” he added. “It was a blip and we are still right in there. It is so tight and everyone is beating everyone.

“But we are confident.”