MIDDLESEX will have been the visitors to New Road this weekend bringing about a number of potential clashes, not least between Angus Fraser and Elliot Wilson.

Reviewing county opening batsmen in this month's Cricketer magazine, Gus observed that Elliot had done well last season even if he did have the habit of "antagonising the opposition".

Let's hope Elliot has antagonised Gus for all the best reasons, though things will probably be in the bowler's favour as Gus also observed, "opening the batting at New Road can definitely be considered a challenge".

So, seamers against batters, next class Langer against McGrath, the first of many titanic duels between opposing overseas playes, a match within a match. Langer was recently dubbed by Steve Waugh the best batsman in the world on current form; McGrath stands at number two in the Pricewaterhouse Coopers ratings -- some prospect.

Someone else looking to do well against McGrath will have been Mark Ramprakash, whose credentials as an England opening batsman will have been done no harm should he have a successful game. With Nick Knight scoring plenty up the road at Edgbaston, the first selection clash between contracted and non-contracted players looms.

Meanwhile, another opening batsman, Philip Weston's clash with younger brother Robin will have to be put on hold as Philip continues to regain fitness after his knee operation. Philip had a stop start season last year. Injuries played a part and his runs tended to come in big scores followed by a series of low ones. Worcestershire struggled as a whole with their batting and will hope to play on some easier pitches this year, if for no other reason than the question of bonus points.

Last year's championship win against Glamorgan (highest innings score 164) yielded 16 points; the end of season draw with Middlesex, when Worcestershire scored 465 batting first and made Middlesex follow on, yielded 12 points.

The same matches replayed under this year's regulations would see the margin between a low-scoring win and a high-scoring draw reduced still further to just three points. This results from there now being five batting points available at 50 run intervals from 200 to 400, while bowling points have been reduced to 3 for the third, sixth and ninth wickets taken.

Compare this with the situation before points were introduced for a draw and you get a clear picture of the change. Before draw points, a high-scoring draw could yield eight points at most, whereas a low-scoring win would yield a minimum of 20 with the most available for a win being 24.

The incentive to win at all costs was great; the need to have better pitches to produce a high-scoring win and on which matches might last four days, minimal. So I welcome these changes, which should encourage teams to play on better surfaces, emulating test cricket more closely and producing fuller contests in every sense of the word.

Last week's win at Headingley in the National League was a great result and mirrored last year's results against Yorkshire when the wins also went to the away sides.

Paul Pollard again scored good runs, but it was good to see a substantial contribution coming from the middle order in the form of Reuben Spiring. Backing this up were fine bowling performances from where you would expect it, but also a strong comeback from Kabir Ali, who though wicketless, was economical, and David Leatherdale who bounced back typically from the previous week to take three wickets.

The next one day encounter is under lights at Hove. McGrath against Bevan - should be another thriller.

Monday, may 15, 2000.