AUSTRALIAN pace ace Glenn McGrath has made an immediate impact at New Road - in more ways than one.

On the field his World-class bowling ability goes without question, but it's merely his high profile presence in the Worcestershire camp that's sparked such a big difference.

And none more so than to his new County team-mates who admit to being inspired by having such major cricketing talent among their ranks.

Off the field the 30-year-old has also made a bumper impression with the Worcestershire cricketing public.

Since his capture on a split two-year contract was announced, membership at New Road has risen by ten per cent coupled with a boost in corporate bookings.

But it's his fellow players - whatever their status in the County squad - who have been lifted more than most by McGrath's arrival.

Worcestershire skipper Graeme Hick said: "I think Glenn can be a great help to the youngsters we have go there. Sherry (Alamgir Sheriyar) had a great season in 1999 and will learn a lot from him.

"But we have three or four promising young bowlers and we hope the influence of Glenn on them over the next two to three years will be quite significant."

Vice-skipper Steve Rhodes said: "The biggest plus factor for me when I'll be captain is that when I did it last year Hicky and Tom Moody weren't around. I had good people like Richard Illingworth around to help me, but this time I'll have Glenn as well.

"He is a vastly experienced Test cricketer and somebody who I can get information and help from. Vikram Solanki and Phil Weston have also got some potential to go further in captaincy."

McGrath's fellow paceman Lampitt said: "Glenn's a quality bowler. He's one of the World's top bowlers and he's going to benefit us so much playing here at Worcester.

"We had Tom Moody for the last ten years and he did a fantastic job. At times, though, we felt as if we needed, in four-day cricket, that little extra strike from another bowler because, if you do struggle from one or two injuries, it's difficult to keep coming back to the same players to knock people over.

"Glenn will provide that for us and, of course, his experience is going to rub off onto the younger players at the club."

Up-and-coming 19 year-old paceman Kabir Ali, who won the Gold Award for taking 4-29 when he made his one-day debut in the County's Benson and Hedges Cup group win over Glamorgan at New Road, said: "Glenn has been working with the bowlers and passing on advice on swing, pace, line and length.

"It's a great feeling having him around. He's a really nice guy and has been chatting with everyone.

"With him in the side we should go straight up. There is a buzz around the dressing room.

Batsman Elliott Wilson said: "All the bowlers love having Glenn in the team. In net practice it's just unbelievable how much better everyone bowls because they are just trying to impress him. He just raises the standard ten-fold."

And County coach Bill Athey said: "If all the boys play well alongside Glenn we've got a great chance of doing some pretty special things.

"If any of our young seamers fail to learn from him they want their backsides kicking."