GLENN McGrath will make his debut for Worcestershire in next Friday's Benson and Hedges Cup clash with Somerset at Taunton.

The Australian pace star is set to arrive in this country on Tuesday when they County will be entertaining Gloucestershire in another Benson tie.

New Road skipper Graeme Hick said: "Glenn gets in early on Tuesday morning but it would be unfair for him to play the same day."

McGrath will be jetting in from South Africa where he has been playing in one-day internationals for Australia.

Before he makes his eagerly-awaited debut, Worcestershire will have completed three of their five Benson group matches.

Today they are at Northamptonshire and tomorrow entertain Glamorgan at New Road (10.45am) followed by Tuesday's home match with Gloucestershire.

County coach Bill Athey said: "This weekend we've got two tough games which are absolutely vital. It could set up the whole season for us. If we win two out of two it will be a wonderful start. If we happen to lose two out of two it takes a little bit of recovering from."

Athey believes that the County players will respond to McGrath's absence for the opening three Benson clashes.

He said: "The players have to learn to play with pressure. We just can't rely on Glenn McGrath all season to do everything for us.

"He's going to be a huge cog in the wheel, but everybody else has got to play very well for us to win it. The spirit is great at the moment, but the hard work starts from now."