WORCESTERSHIRE'S cricketers were returning from their successful tour of South Africa today in readiness to step up their pre-season 'warm-up' programme later this week.

They will be back in action on Wednesday and Thursday in one-day matches against Sussex at Hove.

The inter-squad game originally scheduled to be staged at New Road on Saturday will not now take place.

There will, however, be a squad fixture at Ombersley on Wednesday, April 16.

Two days later they will launch their Frizzell County Championship Division Two campaign with a home match against Hampshire.

Meanwhile, the Championship game against Dur-ham next month will be held at Stockton, starting on Wednesday, May 14.

It was originally due to have been held at Riverside.

* England batsman John Crawley has been appointed captain of Hampshire, the second time he has led a team in the county championship. He replaces former England batsman Robin Smith.