MATT Mason is in line for his first Frizzell County Championship Division Two appearance of the season when Worcestershire open their match against Northamptonshire at New Road tomorrow.

The on-form paceman looks likely to replace fellow Australian Mark Harrity.

Mason was 12th man for Worcestershire's opening Championship match with Hampshire which ended in a thrilling draw at New Road.

But since then the 29-year-old has produced impressive performances in the three-day friendly with Oxford UCCE in The Parks and against Gloucestershire in Sunday's National League Division Two victory at Bristol.

In the rain-hit draw with Oxford he yielded figures of 16-10-22-3 and followed up with a one-day best 4-35 against Gloucestershire.

New Road director of cricket Tom Moody accepts that Mason has 'thrown his hat into the ring' for selection. The final line-up, however, was not due to be finalised until after training later today.

Newcomer Harrity has yet to slot into a wicket-taking groove and collected just one scalp during his appearances against Hants and Oxford.

Stephen Peters will open the innings after overcoming an injury scare while fielding on Sunday.

He badly bruised the thumb that he broke last year, but has been declared fit.

Moody, meanwhile, is hoping his players can carry on where they left off in last week's draw with Hants who kept out the last eight balls to deny the County what would have been a deserved victory.

He said: "I'd be thrilled if we continue to play the cricket we played in that game.

"If we maintain those standards we wont be far away at the end of the season."

Northants have played two Championship matches and are second from bottom in the table having picked up 11 points. They began their campaign with a crushing innings and 343 runs defeat against Yorkshire at Headingley and then drew at home with Gloucestershire.

Worcs (from): Peters, Singh, Hick, Smith, Solanki, Leatherdale, Batty, Rhodes, Kabir Ali, Mason, Hayward, Harrity.