JOHN Hastings will become the latest in a lengthy list of talented Australian cricketers to play County Championship cricket for Worcestershire next season.

The all-rounder is set to be the 22nd player from Down Under to represent the County in the competition, a sequence which started at the turn of the last century.

In recent times, the likes of Tom Moody, Glenn McGrath, Andy Bichel, current assistant-coach Matt Mason, Phil Jaques and the late Phil Hughes all made a considerable impact.

John Cuffe became the first Australian to wear Worcestershire’s colours in 1903 and the 49th player to play Championship cricket for the club.

He was followed before the Second World War by Herbert Hopkins, Frank Warne and Roger Kimpton.

After 1945, Noel Hughes, Don Harkness, Greg Watson and Moody joined the Worcestershire ranks.

Then, since the Championship was split into two divisions, the County have signed Australians aplenty in McGrath, Bichel, Mason, Shane Lee, Mark Harrity, Jaques, Doug Bollinger, Steve Magoffin, Ashley Noffke, Damien Wright, Michael Klinger, Hughes and Michael Johnson.

The list does not include players such as current Australian captain Steve Smith, who played only T20 cricket for the New Road outfit.