The news is not all good for Worcestershire, though, as the seamer Phil Newport, who also played for England, will be out of action for the rest of the campaign with an Achilles tendon problem.

Another England player, the Warwickshire opener Nick Knight, who has been out for seven weeks with a broken finger, leads the side in the continuing absence of Tim Munton.

Andy Moles, who has been acting as captain, has to have a late check on a damaged finger after he needed pain-killers to play in last week's NatWest Trophy semi-final against Sussex.

Worcestershire are better placed in the table than their Midlands rivals, lying fourth 22 points behind leaders Gloucestershire, who miss out on this round of matches.

Kent, 10 points behind Gloucestershire in second place with a game in hand, will have David Fulton back to open the batting against Somerset at Taunton after breaking a knuckle a month ago against Middlesex.

Kent's new-ball attack, however, is unlikely to feature Alan Igglesden, who suffered a back spasm against the Australians at Canterbury on Monday.

The other key match in the championship sees Glamorgan, six points behind Kent, take on Northamptonshire at Abergavenny.

Again there is no place in the Glamorgan side for vice-captain Tony Cottey, Michael Powell, who made his debut last week against Worcestershire, keeping his place in the middle order.