WITH just a day before the match against the Australians begins, the excitement at New Road is building as the final preparations get underway.

In for training this morning, the Worcestershire team were looking forward to the game that lies ahead and the challenges it holds for them

Vice-captain Gareth Batty is among those who are enjoying the prospect of an entertaining three days of cricket.

"Australia are number one in the ICC rankings in both forms of the game, so it is without doubt that we will play host to some fine players at New Road this weekend," he said.

"The current Ashes series is the best contest we've seen in recent years because Team England is stronger than it has been for a while.

"The hype that England's success has created around the Ashes tour has inevitably created a stir around the Worcestershire fixture.

"It has always been a popular game, but everybody is aware that when the international side is performing well, the County games enjoy more attention."

Ben Smith is also looking forward to welcoming the tourists to Worcester.

"The last time Australia toured here I was still playing for Leicestershire and I was hugely disappointed not to have played a role in their match at Grace Road," said batsman Smith.

"I had a broken finger at the time, which meant I had to sit it out, so the last time I actually played against an Australian team was at Under 19 level."

But Smith has not forgotten some of the names that graced the team sheet during the Australian Under 19s' visit to face the England Young Cricketers and the Netherlands in 1991.

He said: "Martyn, Gilchrist and Kasprowicz were among their players, so I'll hopefully have another chance to play against them this year. It's strange to realise how long ago it was.

"Australia has an awesome presence in world cricket. They are the best in the world and, as with anybody who is the best in their field, they carry a certain aura around with them. I can't wait to see them at New Road."

Head coach Steve Rhodes is keen to know what team the visitors will decide to play in their game.

"It will be interesting to see who they play," Rhodes said. "Obviously, they've just come out of the first Test at Lord's and head to Birmingham once they finish here, so we don't know whether they will choose to rest some of the players.

"Potentially we could be looking at a line-up that includes the likes of Shaoib Akhtar, Graeme Hick, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and that's just to name a few. These are huge names in cricket so it isn't going to be a dull match."

And he believes there is a lot of benefit to the younger squad members in receiving the Australians.

Rhodes added: "It is great to be around players of such calibre. To be exposed to any international cricket team is a huge advantage to up and coming players and even better if they can do well against a top flight international team. It's an extra feather in their cap and a big boost to confidence."

With the Test match grounds full to capacity for this summer's Ashes, tourist matches like this could be the only opportunity for many cricket followers to see arguably the best team in the world at close hand.

There are still a limited number of seats available to purchase via telephone on 01905-337921 or in person at the New Road 1 shop.