WORCESTERSHIRE’S 2013 one-day campaign has been given a massive boost by the news the club will be including golden arm Alan Richardson in their limited overs plans.

In recent seasons, the veteran seamer has restricted his contributions to the four-day format in a bid to prolong his career, with the County powers-that-be not wanting to overwork the key component of the New Road attack.

However, the 38-year-old right-armer, who has already claimed 30 wickets in Division Two of the LV= County Championship this campaign, insists he wants to be involved in as much cricket as possible and is excited about the prospect of featuring in Yorkshire Bank 40 and Friends Life t20 cricket.

Jack Shantry has impressed in one-day cricket for Worcestershire with nine wickets at 11.4, but his fellow seamers Gareth Andrew (three at 33.7) and Dave Lucas (two at 38.5) have struggled to make a major impact with the ball, while Chris Russell has yet to strike in List ‘A’ cricket this term.

“I do miss the one-day stuff a little bit and I was insanely jealous after our YB40 win down at Sussex,” admitted Richardson.

“I just miss being part of the team — I will always prefer four-day cricket to the one-day stuff — but I want to play as much cricket as I can.

“We have discussed it and if I am available and it’s the right time, then I will be in contention.

“Last year, there was talk I’d be part of our Twenty20 team, but I injured my shoulder just before it started.

“I was fit again about half-way through but, by that stage, Dave and Jack had cemented their partnership and our set-up was only to play two out-and-out seamers, so I couldn’t get back in, which is fair enough.

“I have to live with that and I don’t expect to just walk into the side.

“During the Twenty20 period, if I could sneak in the side, that would be great.

“I’d like to have the chance to play in front of a lot of people and be part of it.

“The lads give me stick asking me where I’m off on holiday during June and July, but I’d like to be part of the cricket — if I’m bowling in the nets, I might as well be playing.”

County director of cricket Steve Rhodes confirmed Richardson will feature in his one-day plans this season.

“That will happen this year,” he said. “That was the plan last year too, but it never materialised because of injuries but the plan is for him to play some one-day and T20 cricket.”

Rhodes added: “We are all keen for him to do it.

“He is our best bowler and that includes all formats.

“Sometimes it hurts us not to play him in the YB40 but, having said all that, we want him for this four-day competition.

“Ironically, we were going to try and play him at Brighton in that game (v Sussex in YB40). That was the plan but he wasn’t quite ready after a jab.”