ANDY Bichel is back in the old routine at New Road -- and he's loving it!

Worcestershire supporters were delighted when they heard the popular Australian was returning to the scene of where he had so much success in 2001 and 2002.

And, despite a wet start to the campaign, he's already showing signs of making as big an impact with his bowling and batting as he did in his previous spell with the County.

"It's great being back," said the 33 year-old, who signalled his intentions for the new season when he blasted two centuries -- 114 and 161 -- in the space of three days in 'warm-up' games against Essex at Chelmsford.

He also notched a half century in his first Frizzell County Championship Division One innings of the season against Kent at Canterbury where he found it tough getting into his wicket-taking stride.

Four victims against Sussex in the County's opening totesport League Division Two clash of the season, however, pushed open the gate to what he hopes will be a bumper bag of scalps in both first-class and limited-over cricket.

As soon as he returned to New Road to replace South African quickie Nantie Hayward, Bichel admitted he instantly felt at 'home'.

He said: "I'd been travelling the world a little bit with the Australian side and to come back here . . . well it's still the best and prettiest place to play cricket.

"The new stand is fantastic and hopefully we can get a few people sitting in there and making a bit of noise when I'm at the top of my bowling mark. I generally like bowling from that end."

As well as the new £700,000, 2,000-seater stand at the Diglis end of the ground, there have also been other changes at New Road since Bichel's previous two-year stint when he claimed 102 first-class wickets at an average of 26.50 and 68 one-day scalps at 16.10.

He said: "Since I was here last there have been a few changes in the dressing room and it's exciting to see that."

Bichel admits the chance of playing top flight cricket in the Championship this year acted as a spur for him to return to New Road.

"To play for Worcestershire in the First Division was something I really jumped at. It gives you that opportunity to really test yourself.

"The team had been playing well in the Championship last year and there was a lot of confidence at the end of last season coming into this season."

Bichel admits there were other counties interested in his services, but says: "Deep down Worcestershire was the only choice for me. I had to look and see if there was anything for me here and when it came available it made my choice pretty easy.

"There are a few old heads still here like Steve Rhodes, Graeme Hick, David Leatherdale and obviously Tom Moody.

"Tom wanted to get into the First Division and he got there and now he's got good calibre players which hopefully is the right mix. And having got into the First Division it's now about being consistent and playing well.

"There's some youth and experience, so hopefully we can make the most of all the opportunities that arise this summer. If we do that and play the way we know we can then we can be a force in Division One."

"The combination of myself and Andrew Hall excites me. In one-day cricket we bowl and bat down the lower to middle order where games can be won and lost. I'm looking forward to that. I've seen what these guys can do in one-day cricket and making a Lord's final like they did last year is something that's pretty special. Even though they got there and didn't get the trophy it's something hopefully we can knock off this year."