Worcestershire have pulled off a major coup in signing Australian all-rounder John Hastings as their overseas player for the 2017 campaign.
Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes has moved swiftly to secure the services of the 30-year-old who has a proven record in all formats of the game and is expected to be available for the majority of the season subject to international commitments.
Hastings has previous experience of county cricket with Durham and last summer finished fifth in the PCA Most Valuable Player rankings.
He has appeared in one Test, 20 ODIs and eight T20Is for his country and is currently part of the Australia T20 squad in action in Sri Lanka.
Hastings has picked up 219 wickets in 67 first class games at 26.57, 148 wickets in 95 List A appearances at 26.90 and 94 wickets in 83 T20 encounters at 22.86.
In addition Hastings is a more than useful performer with the bat, scoring 2061 first class runs (22.40), 1027 List A (19.39) 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 players at New Road.
Rhodes said: "We have signed John Hastings for next year as the fast bowling all-rounder. He is going to be available for a long part of the season, hopefully all of the season depending on international commitments.
"At the moment we anticipate having some real continuity with our overseas player for next summer.
"His qualities are excellent. In 2015 he was fifth overall in the PCA Most Valuable Player rankings.
"He is renowned internationally as a T20-ODI player and is currently over with Australia in Sri Lanka.
"But his all-round qualities for all formats, with bat and ball, are excellent.
"John will give us a little bit of pace with the new ball. He is a competitive character on the field but a champion of a bloke in the dressing room.
"He is someone I feel will really help our youngsters. He is a winner and a tough competitor and we look forward to him being with us subject to the normal clearances."
Hastings is relishing the chance to spend next summer at New Road.
He said: "I am already looking forward to next summer and linking up with a club who are developing such an exciting group of young players.
"If I can help in any way with that development, I will be delighted.
"I have enjoyed my previous spells in county cricket and I am keen to contribute to Worcestershire in all formats of the game.
"In addition, I am looking forward to living in such a beautiful part of the world."