QUESTION: What do Surrey Lions, Worcestershire Cricket Board and Zimbabwe have in common?

ANSWER: They are all at New Road this week in what is one of the biggest 'mixed bag' of fixtures this season.

Surrey are the visitors today for a National League Division One clash, Worcestershire Cricket Board face the County in a Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy third round tie on Wednesday and on Friday skipper Ben Smith and Co. start a four-day match with Zimbabwe.

And it's the showdown with the Worcestershire Cricket Board that is capturing the imagination as much as the other two star-studded fixtures.

"It has to be the match of the season! Local reputations are on the line," smiled New Road chief executive Mark Newton.

He added: "This match will no doubt create a lot of interest since it brings the amateur players face to face with their professional counterparts.

"The Board players will want to impress but we have to perform well to make sure we get through to play Yorkshire at home provided they win their match at Cambridgeshire.

"We will not take our match lightly. Most importantly I hope the local cricketing fraternity will turn up and watch a competitive yet enjoyable game."

And it's a fair bet that Zimbabwe won't be taking the County lightly when the sides get underway on Friday in a match which includes Sunday play.

Certainly, for one player it's a game which will be extra special - Zimbabwe's Tatenda Taibu.

The 19-year-old wicketkeeper played for Worcester Cricket Club last season and acted as 12th man for the County on occasions.

Taibu's importance to Zimbabwe was underlined when he was named as vice-captain for this year's tour of England.

Newton said: "The County has a close affinity to Zimbabwe having hosted the team in Worcester prior to the 1999 World Cup.

"They played their game against Sri Lanka here and gained many friends during their stay. We all know that much has happened in Zimbabwe in recent years but nonetheless we will be welcoming the Zimbabwean cricketers and we hope local cricket supporters will do the same in large numbers."

The eagerly-awaited Trophy match against the Worcestershire Cricket Board, which will start at 10.45am, is an all-pay affair.

Entrance fee for adults on the day will be £8 (£4 for children) and £7 for adults in advance (£3.50 for children) by calling 01905-337921.

Admission to the match against Zimbabwe is free to members. Public tickets are £8 for adults and £2 for juniors.

Tickets will be available each day or in advance by ringing 01905-337921.