WORCESTERSHIRE chief executive Mark Newton is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2006 campaign and he firmly believes the current squad is the most balanced it has been for a long time.

The County have moved wisely to snap up Aussies Phil Jaques and Nathan Bracken who, despite both recently featuring in their country's Test side, will be available at New Road for the vast majority of the season.

There is also a good blend of youth and experience running through the squad with the seasoned pros being kept on their toes by the impressive youngsters who are rising through the ranks.

Newton said: "All counties want to sign established overseas players and this is exactly what we've got in Phil (Jaques) and Nathan (Bracken).

"It is a measure of their quality that they have both been recognised internationally recently. Every player wants to play international cricket and I am delighted for both of them but, from a purely selfish point of view, we hope that they are not kept away from us too much by international commitments.

"If they are called up to play for Australia against Bangladesh, they will return to us by the end of April, which is fine."

Newton added that a stable squad is one of the key aims for 2006 and new players will not be drafted in as short-term replacements if either of the overseas players become unavailable.

"If we do lose any players for a few weeks during the season we will not be bringing in replacements to cover for them," he said.

"We learnt from last season that it is better to have stability than to keep bringing in different players.

"We have not got the biggest squad in the world, but we have a good blend of youth and experience.

"We will go with the established players and if the younger players can force their way in, it will be good for the club. Steven Davies broke into the team last season and Stephen Moore did the same the year before that. Daryl Mitchell and Stuart Wedge have also been doing well and are on the fringes of the team."