EXCITEMENT levels looks set to reach new heights at Worcestershire CCC ahead of the 2022 cricket season.

With the season still a few months away, there is already a buzz around the club, thanks in the main to Matthew Wade.

The new signing, a T20 World Cup winner with Australia last winter, will arrive at New Road in the summer to compete on all fronts for the county.

Head coach Alex Gidman agrees that the fanfare is justified for a player who is a "major coup" for the club.

"I’ve watched all of what he has been doing this winter and had a few conversations with him.

"Really, really pleased for him first and foremost that he is playing such amazing cricket.

"I can understand the excitement levels from our members and supporters because the players are equally excited.

"It is a major signing, a significant coup for us to have a current international player that can come for a lot of cricket, hopefully, the vast majority."

Wade, 34, is currently back home captaining the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.

The Hurricanes are currently lying in the fourth spot in the Big Bash League and were back in action on Wednesday when they visited bottom team Adelaide Strikers.

"Really looking forward to it and wish him all the best for the remainder of his Australian season," added Gidman

"And then we are looking forward to getting him and his family over here when that finishes.

"He wants to come in and slot in where we need him to, where we want him to, and I’m sure he will feel his way in and be a huge part on and off the pitch."

Following a vote by the chairs of the 18 First Class Counties, the season will be once more split into two divisions for 2022.

Worcestershire will battle with Durham, Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Middlesex and Sussex in Division Two.

A two-up, two-down promotion and relegation system will be in place for the 2022 campaign, with each County due to play 14 matches.

The counties will be placed into the division they had qualified to compete in had the 2020 LV=Insurance County Championship taken place.