IN a time when cutbacks is the buzz word, it was good to hear from County chief executive David Leatherdale that Worcestershire at the very least are likely to have the same playing budget next season.

Although the New Road side are yet to ratify how much money director of cricket Steve Rhodes will have at his disposal, the former Worcestershire all-rounder, who became the chief executive almost a year ago, believes that the County will be able to provide a similar budget next year.

“Although we haven’t finalised our budget for next season, there may be a slight increase from this year — but it certainly won’t be any less,” Leatherdale said.

But before anyone gets ahead of themselves, that doesn’t mean the likes of Dale Steyn or Virender Sehwag will be arriving at New Road any time soon because they won’t.

Expect players in the ilk of Damien Wright (inset) to fill the overseas slots at the County.

Although the amiable Aussie will not be returning, he is set to take up the New Zealand bowling coach post, Rhodes will be spending his trying to find someone similar for next term.

The County director of cricket is trying to make sure that he gets value for the money he has available.

There are teams on the county circuit who will spend big and do all that they can to try and bring in the best players on the planet.

But in these times of austerity there will be a time when they will have to make cuts — just ask Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Worcestershire made their cutbacks in 2009, and boy were they deep, but that has allowed the County to rebuild with fresh hungry young players.

But what it has done is brought together a close knit unit who work extremely hard together.

They are not the finished article, but Rhodes does have some rough diamonds that in years to come will be the cornerstone of Worcestershire cricket — providing they can hold on to them.

The director of cricket has always said, from the day that they won promotion last term, that his team will be stronger next season and that they will benefit from this campaign in the top-flight.

Too many outside the New Road dressing room, relegation with the team that Worcestershire have was an all but certainty — they were of course 20/1-on for the drop.

But while they are far from safe, they are no way down and have every chance of staying up.

Money may buy you some of the best players but doesn’t always get you success, just look at Surrey.

With Rhodes not having to make cuts to his squad next season, he may even have a little extra, it means that his team can continue to develop together. It has been that sticking with each other that helped win Worcestershire promotion and will hopefully help them beat the drop.