MARK Newton admits the return of Australian pace star Andy Bichel has added to the 'buzz' that has surrounded Worcestershire's build-up to the new season.

The County's chief executive said: "When we announced membership fees for 2004, when there was a significant increase, there was a bit of a reaction to it.

"But the reality is, although the volume has slightly dropped, the revenue has dramatically increased

"County membership is still one of the best value memberships of any sport, certainly in the county if not in the country, so I think most members understand that and have reacted well.

"But the real buzz started when we signed Andy Bichel, that really did create a surge of interest.

"I think it made people 100 per cent sure that we're using any increased funding to strengthen the cricket team and we'll continue to do so. That's obviously our priority and always will be.

"This is my third pre-season here and it has more buzz this time than I have noticed before for a whole variety of reasons. I think it's also to do with the way cricket itself is changing and improving."

Newton believes the Twenty20 Cup competition, a smash hit at New Road last season, will again be a massive crowd-puller.

"A lot of things fell into place last year and I have repeatedly said that it even surpassed my high expectations. I think Twenty20 will be better this year.

Professional

"We'll be a little bit more professional about the presentation. There's the quarter-final stage now so eight teams from the pools will go through and then the four winners will go to the finals day, so there's a little bit more incentive to succeed. There won't be any dead rubbers.

"If the weather is anything like then I have no reason to believe it won't be even more popular than last year.

"We're actually advising people to purchase tickets in advance rather than come on the day. Whether it will be fully sold out in advance I don't know, but certainly we anticipate it to be as successful if not more than last year."

The County are particularly keen to do well in the competition after failing to reach Finals Day last year when the new competition made its highly publicised bow.

Unfortunately for skipper Ben Smith and his men, who played under the banner of Worcestershire Royals, the hectic action came at a time when their playing resources were stretched to the limit because of injuries and international calls.

The 20 overs-a-side format, however, caught to public's imagination and the County attracted huge crowds for their home games against Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Somerset. Indeed, the average attendance for the three matches was 4,046.