WORCESTERSHIRE will have eight days of cricket in English conditions when they return from Abu Dhabi to help with their preparations for the 2018 campaign.

The County return from their 10-day training camp in the UAE on March 18.

First up will be a two-day fixture against Somerset at Taunton Vale on March 22 and 23.

Next up is a three-day encounter with Gloucestershire at Bristol on March 26, 27 and 28.

That will lead into the three-day home fixture with Leeds-Bradford University at Royal Grammar School Worcester on April 1, 2 and 3.

New head coach Kevin Sharp said: “The Abu Dhabi trip will be beneficial to the lads in terms of getting in outdoor practice after the winter indoors.

“But to have those eight days of cricket back in this country so you can readjust to English conditions is also very important to our preparations.

“Then that leads into the opening Championship game away to Hampshire.

“The good thing is it gives us plenty of practice abroad and at home which hopefully will help us to hit the ground running when the action starts for real.”