FORMER Worcestershire batsman Phil Weston is the big danger man when rivals Gloucestershire Gladiators visit today, according to chief executive Mark Newton.

Weston, a New Road performer from 1991 to 2002, has been a thorn in the County's side in recent square-ups.

The left-armer spanked 73 off 55 balls when the two sides collided in the Twenty20 Cup last Sunday, which eased the Gladiators to a five-wicket win at Bristol.

And Weston broke the hearts of Worcestershire supporters last August, smashing an unbeaten 110 at Lord's in Gloucestershire's eight-wicket C&G Cup final triumph.

It is no surprise that Newton regards the 32-year-old opener as a prize wicket in today's Twenty20 re-match at New Road (5.30pm).

"For most of the time, Phil always bats well against us," admitted Newton. "He was the man-of-the-match in the last Twenty20 game and also in the final last year.

"It's the same with players that used to be at Worcestershire. They always tend to try that little bit harder. He is a very good batsman."

The Gloucestershire fixture is a sell-out, along with the County's final home Midlands/West/Wales division clash against Glamorgan on Wednesday.

Newton is delighted at the public response to the Twenty20 competition and insists the format's popularity is increasing every year.

He added: "Our home Twenty20 games have been a huge success with spectators. We've had four home games this year instead of two last year and three of those were sold out in advance, while the other sold out on the day.

"It just shows how popular the format is, particularly as we did not play too well in our last home game with Northamptonshire.

"The competition has been fantastic for all the counties and I don't think it will be too long before there is a Twenty20 World Cup."