WORCESTERSHIRE will be without the services of Saeed Ajmal for tomorrow's first home game of the LV= County Championship Division Two season against Kent at New Road.

Although the County had expected to have the Pakistan spinner available for the four-day contest, there has been a delay in getting the no objection certificate from the Pakistan Cricket Board, which cleats Saeed to play.

However, it is hoped Saeed will arrive during the next week ready for the start of the homw Division Two match against Derbyshire on Sunday, April 27.

Worcestershire chief executive David Leatherdale said: “It is hugely disappointing not to have Saeed here when expected after agreeing his arrival many months ago.

"But you have to get the NOC before he is physically available to play. You are probably only talking about a few days but we are in the hands of the Pakistan Cricket Board who control his commitments, but it is disappointing not to have him here when we had originally hoped."

With Saeed unavailable, director of cricket Steve Rhodes has named the same squad that earned an encouraging draw at Hampshire in their opening fixture.

Worcestershire had the better of a rain-ruined match at the Ageas Bowl, claiming 12 points compared to the hosts’ nine.

Rhodes said: “Kent have made some interesting acquisitions, especially Doug Bollinger, who is a guy who struggled when he was our overseas player a few years ago.

“I’m sure he will want to prove he can bowl this season – I always felt he could bowl when he was with us, but he was disappointed he didn’t get more wickets. However, we will be focusing on ourselves rather than Kent.”

The County director of cricket added: “It was a pleasing start for us at Hampshire, although they got 50 to 60 runs too many in the first innings.

“We ended up with 12 points compared to Hampshire’s nine against a side that are the 3-1 favourites to win Division Two, which was a good start to the season."

Worcestershire (from): Mitchell, Pardoe, Moeen, Kervezee, Kohler-Cadmore, Whiteley, Cox, Andrew, Morris, Russell, Shantry, Choudhry.