MATTHEW Rawnsley returns to Worcestershire's County Championship Division Two side for their match against Gloucestershire which opens at Bristol tomorrow.

The 24 year-old spinner is in line to take over from rookie paceman Chris Liptrot.

"Rawnsley is going to be more than considered for a place because Bristol does turn and he's our front-line spinner," said the County's Director of Cricket Tom Moody.

Worcestershire welcome the improvement in weather conditions after a rain-wrecked start to their Championship campaign which has resulted in three draws and a defeat.

Three of their games have been severely affected by the wet weather including their last match against Derbyshire at New Road.

Moody said: "Obviously, it would be nice to get a win now. We haven't really effectively been on the park long enough to assess our four-day form. With the way the weather is now it's time to get some points on the board.

"We were desperately disappointed we couldn't get some sort of a game out of the Derbyshire match, but unfortunately they wouldn't entertain anything hence we were left with a bit of an aimless day of cricket.

"We've played some one-day matches and now it's time to hopefully play some four-day cricket where we can get some maximum points."

Gloucester have yet to win a Championship match this season. They began with a Durham draw, lost by five wickets to Middlesex and then drew against Hampshire.

Gloucestershire are currently second from bottom in the table, one place below the County.

In the corresponding match last season Worcestershire drew in a weather-restricted game in which Vikram Solanki scored an undefeated 161.

The game at New Road ended in a 52-run win for the County who were well served by pace ace Glenn McGrath who finished with match figures of 10-69.

Worcs (from): Weston, Singh, Hick, Solanki, Leatherdale, Pollard, Rhodes, Bichel, Lampitt, Rawnsley, Sheriyar, Liptrot.