WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club will award players their 'colours' as soon as they play in the County Championship side for the first time.

This will be recognised by a number which will remain unique to that particular player for posterity and be shown on their white playing shirts.

The switch marks the end of the traditional 'capping' system.

Up to the end of last season, a total of 412 players had gained their 'colours' since the club played their first first-class match in 1899.

H.K. Foster was the first and Nick Boulton the 412th.

All Worcestershire's famous players of past and present are on the list including Tom Graveney at 307, Basil D'Oliveira at 313, Graeme Hick at 364 and Glenn McGrath at 407.

County chairman John Elliott said: "All the players can now aspire to their unique place in the history of this club.

"My predecessor as chairman, Duncan Fearnley, never received his cap as a player despite playing 88 Championship matches, but 40 years after his first game in 1962 he will receive his 'colours' as number 308."

New Road Director of Cricket Tom Moody comes into the list at 379 having earned his 'colours' in 1991, the same year as Gavin Haynes and Philip Weston.

He said: "The idea of a player receiving his colours is more in keeping with modern times than the traditional award of a 'cap'.

"I also believe it helps current players appreciate the part they play in the history of the club," said Moody.