WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club today made their fourth major close-season signing by capturing giant pace bowler Matt Mason.

The six feet five inch 27-year-old is from Perth in Western Australia and as an Irish passport holder qualifies to play as a non-overseas player.

Mason is a fast-medium seam bowler who has played his club cricket at Midland Cricket Club in Perth and has represented Western Australia in both one-day and four-day cricket, including a tourist match against South Africa.

He also played with County stars Vikram Solanki, Alamgir Sheriyar and Phil Weston against the South Africans at Arundel in 1998.

Mason said: "There is a great challenge ahead of me and one I intend to make the most of. The chance to play under Tom Moody was a big factor in accepting this challenge and I hope Worcestershire benefit from my presence."

Director of Cricket Moody believes the signing will provide an important variety to the New Road bowling attack next season.

He said: "Matt is another victim of the great strength of Australian cricket over the last decade. Through his EU qualification, he now has the opportunity to fulfil his dream of playing first-class cricket on a regular basis.

"I expect him to perform well on the New Road wicket and give further strength to our squad."

Mason's capture is the latest move by ambitious Worcestershire to have a new-look squad assembled in time for their bid to gain promotion from the County Championship second division next season.

They have already snapped up Ben Smith from Leicestershire, Gareth Batty from Surrey and Stephen Peters from Essex as part of their plans to build on last year's achievement when Moody masterminded the County's elevation into the Norwich Union League first division.

All four newcomers will be available when glory-seeking Worcestershire launch their Cricinfo County Championship programme with a match against Gloucestershire, which opens at New Road on Friday, April 19.

Before that Worcestershire's build up to the new campaign starts in earnest with a three-day match against Oxford UCCE which will start in The Parks on Saturday, April 13.