By Simon Mann Test Match Special

Worcestershire endured three near misses last summer and responded by sacking Graeme Hick as captain.

There were rumours of discontent within the squad but some of those problems have been solved.

And although the new skipper, Ben Smith, could face a tricky baptism the bottom line is Worcestershire have a talented squad which should be good enough to win promotion and be a force in the one-day game.

There are no signs that Graeme Hick's powers as a batsman are fading

During his time as captain, Hick occasionally expressed his unease with the role but claimed he was 'surprised and disappointed' to be removed.

He has though publicly given his full support for the new captain and left to do what he does best - destroy county bowling - his return to the ranks might prove fruitful.

He scored 1,262 at an average of 52.58 last summer, the 17th time he has passed 1,000 runs in a season.

Paceman Alamgir Sheriyar's departure is a setback. He has been a consistent wicket-taker since joining from Leicestershire in 1996 - 57 last season, 65 the season before.

But he wanted to leave and the club is reluctant to hold on to unsettled players.

The three new signings will more than compensate.

Mark Harrity is a left-arm pace-bowler who qualifies to play county cricket because his father is English.

He has played with some success for South Australia for the last ten seasons, although he has been troubled by a back injury.

In 73 first-class games he has taken 197 wickets at 38.37 and he has also toured England with the Australia A side.

His arrival means Worcestershire effectively have four overseas players.

WORCESTERSHIRE 2003 Coach: Tom Moody Captain: Ben Smith Overseas players: Andrew Hall, Nantie Hayward Main players in: Mark Harrity Main players out: Stuart Lampitt, Alamgir Sheriyar, Phillip Weston

Matt Mason, a Western Australian with an Irish passport, was signed before last season while two South Africans, Nantie Hayward and Andrew Hall fill the official overseas slots.

Hayward is a fast bowler from Eastern Province, who has played 14 Tests. Hall is an aggressive all-rounder from Gauteng and a member of South Africa's World Cup squad.

With South Africa due to visit England this summer, his availability might be limited.

Worcestershire's pace bowling options are strengthened by the continuing development of Kabir Ali. He took 60 wickets at 26.56 last season, was chosen for the England academy and will be in the selectors minds for this summer's one-day internationals.

The batting looks solid with Hick, Smith, Vikram Solanki, Steve Rhodes, Steve Peters and David Leatherdale all averaging over 40 last year.

Peters was unlucky in his first season, breaking a hand after making an impressive start while Anurag Singh, one of the players reported to be unsettled, still managed to have his best season in the county game - 1,074 runs at 37.03.

With off-spinner Gareth Batty making strides in his game as well, there are strong indications that Worcestershire will be handful for Second Division teams this season.