NEWCOMERS Nantie Hayward and Mark Harrity will make their debuts for Worcestershire when they open their Frizzell County Championship division two match against Hampshire at New Road tomorrow.

The pace pair were snapped up during the close-season along with South African Andrew Hall, who arrives early next month due to international duties.

Hayward is suffering from a slight side strain and as a precaution did not play in yesterday's inter-squad game at Ombersley.

"We certainly anticipate he'll play tomorrow," said the County's director of cricket Tom Moody, who has named a 13-man squad for the match which also includes England U19 batsman Kadeer Ali.

Worcestershire, whose top priority this season is to clinch promotion, hope to get off to a winning start against relegated Hampshire.

Moody said: "Hampshire will be up for the game as well as us. At this stage of the year everyone is particularly up for it.

"The great thing from our point of view is that we are playing at home and we have got a chance to really get some points on home soil first.

"The start of the season is so important. If we can put away a couple of positive wins early on you set the tone for the year.

"We are in good shape and we are looking forward to it. It will be a good one to win, but after their demotion last year they will be hungry to bounce back."

New County skipper Ben Smith said: "Everybody looks fit and is in good form. As long as we hit the season running in the first game I'm sure everybody will be happy.

"All teams start the new season on zero points. The Championship is a long campaign and we need to get on a long run and do well."

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

The County's final warm-up match at Ombersley yesterday saw the whole squad plus some Academy players split into two sides.

The 'A' side made 245-9 in their 50 overs thanks to Vikram Solanki (60), Kadeer Ali (53) and Kabir Ali (51), but the 'B' side won by seven wickets with Graeme Hick making 88 and David Leatherdale 77no.