It’s a month today until Worcestershire CCC return to action, and they will step up their preparations by moving outdoors to practice during the early part of next month.

Worcestershire are scheduled to face Oxford UCCE in The Parks in a three-day fixture beginning on Wednesday, March 23.

It will be the first of 11 days of warm-up action before the LV=Insurance County Championship opening match against Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground from April 7.

After four months of training indoors at Malvern, Head Coach Alex Gidman said the squad are “chomping at the bit” to move outdoors.

Gidman said: “It is always a tricky time of year in terms of what we do and how we do it. The four walls at Malvern are getting closer and closer!

“It’s been a really good winter, but it’s been a long winter in some senses.

“It gets to that stage where everyone is keen to get outdoors and start doing some different things which we are fully aware of as coaches.

“We will have a quieter week next week in terms of a skill perspective and then hopefully get to Kidderminster as quickly as possible (to practice). That is the plan.

“Hopefully, things are okay, and we will be on time there. Fingers crossed, we will be able to crack on, and the lads will be chomping at the bit to get outdoors and practicing.”

Kidderminster will also be the venue for the three-day match against Durham UCCE beginning on April 2, and Worcestershire also have away fixtures against Warwickshire, (three days), and Hampshire, (two days).

Gidman said: “As we know, pre-season friendlies are a crucial part of getting ready for the competitive action ahead.

“We all know the unpredictability of the British weather, so it is just about trying to get that balance right of making sure we get enough action whilst factoring in losing a bit of time here or there.

“It allows all the guys to have some time in the middle, getting their skills up to speed for the first fixture.”