HUNDREDS of tickets are still available for all three days of the tourist match between Worcestershire and Australia, which starts today at 10.45am.

With the New Road clash failing to sell out in advance, spectators can still gain entry by paying on the turnstile.

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton believes late notice of the game and poor weather over the last week contributed to the unexpected availability of tickets.

"We always look to sell out these matches in advance," said Newton. "But it has a lot to do with the late notice of the game. The weather has also not been great building up to the game, which does affect ticket sales.

"We have a few hundred tickets available. People can turn up before the game and pay at the turnstile. We also have tickets available for Sunday and Monday.

"Overall, up to 10,000 of the 15,000 seats over the course of the match have been taken up. We've sold about 4,500 public tickets over the three days and approximately 5,000 members will turn up."

Last night, there were still around 300 tickets available for today's play.

An absentee from the Worcestershire line-up, Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, is being held back for next week's double header against Northamptonshire at New Road.

They first lock horns on Tuesday for a day/night totesport League clash, followed by a County Championship game starting two days later.

Newton added: "Shoaib has got a niggle and we felt it was better for him to rest on it in preparation for next week's fixtures.

"Besides, Shoaib has played the Australians many times before and this is an opportunity for a lot of players that have never faced them.

"It is the first time for the likes of Nadeem Malik and Stephen Moore and I know they are really looking forward to it."

n Worcestershire Seconds' game with Yorkshire at Stamford Bridge was curtailed due to the weather, resulting in a draw.

They totalled 283 all out and 184-3, while Yorkshire responded with 222 all out.

Stephen Peters, back in the squad for today's game with Australia, scored 98 runs and David Wigley took 5-77.