WORCESTERSHIRE pair Gareth Bat-ty and Shoaib Akhtar were today passed fit to face Leicestershire in the Frizzell County Championship fixture at New Road.

England spinner Batty was forced to withdraw from the County side that slumped to Lancashire in Blackpool last week after sustaining a hand injury.

But he stepped back into the fold to replace batsman Stephen Peters, while seamer Nadeem Malik made way to accomodate the return of Shoaib.

The Pakistani fast bowler missed the County's last four fixtures and was unavailable for the innings and 73-run defeat at Lancashire after flying back from the Afro-Asian Cup with fluid on his knee.

Shoaib practiced in the nets yesterday and was handed the ball today after Leicestershire won the toss and chose to bat first in baking, hot conditions.

In their previous four-day meeting with Leicestershire at Grace Road, the County dominated for three days but tossed away a commanding first innings lead to lose by 12 runs.

Head coach Rhodes said: "The beauty about two divisions is that we get to play all teams home and away and it gives us another crack against Leicestershire.

"We want to put the record straight after that defeat."

Worcestershire enjoyed a fourth over breakthrough and former Leicestershire man Ben Smith played his part.

Opener Darren Robinson whipped Shoaib for consecutive square leg boundaries in the first two balls of the match, but on 16 he half-heartedly edged Kabir Ali to Smith who took the catch at third slip.

However, Leicestershire suffered no further wobbles by the end of the 20th over, reaching 76-1.

The visitors were intent on compiling a big score on what looked like a good New Road batting track.

John Maunders was unbeaten on 30 and Tom New had reached 25.