John Hastings has linked up with Worcestershire as their overseas player for the 2017 season and new skipper Joe Leach said: "he is really looking forward to getting going."
Hastings flew into Heathrow this morning and was met by the County's players support officer Mick Cadmore and driven back to New Road.
He was greeted by Leach and had his first look across the ground from the home dressing room balcony at one of the most iconic views in cricket.
It is a massive boost to the County that Hastings is here ahead of the new campaign after the initial concern following his patella tendon injury in December when playing for Victoria.
There were fears back then then that Hastings would be missing for the first half of the season but he has made good progress after a successful operation.
Hastings will practice with his new team-mates at New Road for the first time on Thursday after their return from the pre season camp in Abu Dhabi.
Leach said: "He was in good spirits and is really excited and looking forward to getting going and cracking on.
"We had a good chat over a coffee – with the physio (Ben Davies) as well – and showed him a bit around Worcester."
The Australian all-rounder, who has played for his country in all formats of the game, is already a proven performer in county cricket with Durham.
Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes acted swiftly at the tail-end of last season to secure the services of Hastings.
Hastings finished fifth in the 2015 PCA Most Valuable Player rankings. He has appeared in one Test, 28 ODIs and nine T20Is.
Hastings has picked up 223 wickets in 69 first class games at 26.70, 166 wickets in 104 List A appearances at 26.90 and 96 wickets in 84 T20 encounters at 22.86.
In addition Hastings is a more than useful performer with the bat, scoring 2092 first class runs (22.25), 1127 List A (20.12) and 642 T20 (15.65).
New South Wales born Hastings has also featured in the Indian Premier League with the Chennai Super Kings and, earlier this year, Kolkata Knight Riders.
He has a wealth of experience which can only be of benefit to the crop of young but maturing players at New Road.
