AUSTRALIAN left-arm seamer Na-than Bracken is expected to be announced as Worcestershire's first overseas signing for 2006 before the end of the week.

The 28-year-old, who has regained his Cricket Australia contract for 2005-06, says he has accepted personal terms with Worcestershire and is set to sign a season-long contract for next summer.

Bracken spent the final month of the 2003 county season at local rivals Gloucestershire, when he took four wickets at 20.75 in two County Championship matches, and five wickets at 21.2 in the one-day totesport League.

After rejecting a New Road contract earlier this year, he is keen to experience a full season in England next summer, believing it will help further his international prospects.

"I have agreed personal terms with Worcestershire and will definitely be signing a contract for 2006," Bracken said.

"I enjoyed my time at Gloucestershire in 2003 and agreed to go back this summer but in the end they decided to look elsewhere for an overseas player.

"Worcestershire stepped in and off-ered me a short contract for the first half of the season, but I was unavailable because I was getting married to my fiance Hayley.

"However, I am available for the whole of next summer, and I am really looking forward to having a successful season at New Road. The ball swings a lot in England and the wickets do a bit, so I guess any fast bowler is happy with the situation when the ball swings around and seams."

Bracken has been called into the Australian one-day squad for this week's inaugural Johnnie Walker Super Series against the Rest of the World, but he remains a fringe player in Test cricket.

He confirmed his status as one of the best left-arm quick bowlers in the world with some stunning performances for New South Wales in state cricket last winter.

Bracken finished second on the NSW 2004-05 four-day Pura Cup bowling averages -- Australia's equivalent of the County Championship -- with 26 wickets at 15.19. He led his team to the Pura Cup title with eight wickets against Queensland in March, and earlier in the season demolished South Australia with an astonishing spell of 7-4 at Sydney.

Worcestershire head coach Steve Rhodes said: "We have been in negotiations with Nathan Bracken's agent regarding a possible move for next summer.

"But we have not had anything official back from him regarding any signature. If Nathan has said that he's ready to join us, that's great news."