Gloucestershire bring in Australia's Worrall

Gloucestershire have signed Australia fast bowler Dan Worrall for the first half of the 2018 season. Worrall, who played three ODIs in 2016, will be available to play in the Championship and Royal London Cup.

There has been a strong Australian connection at Gloucestershire, with Michael Klinger, Cameron Bancroft and Peter Handscomb all turning out at Bristol in recent seasons. Klinger is contracted to the club until 2019 but his availability is uncertain after he revealed in December that his wife was battling cancer.

Worrall, 26, came through at South Australia and was called up to the one-day side after a strong 2015-16 season in Sheffield Shield when he claimed 44 wickets at 26.18. He made his ODI debut against Ireland on Australia's tour of South Africa, playing in two more games before returning to the domestic ranks.

In first-class cricket, Worrall has taken 115 wickets at 31.17 and his style of swing and seam bowling should be suited to England. He has also played in the Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars.

"It has been a long held ambition of mine to play county cricket and I am grateful to Gloucestershire for providing me with a chance to do that," Worrall said. "I have heard only positive things about the potential of the squad being developed at Bristol and look forward to contributing to a successful 2018.

"I believe that I will be suited to bowling well in English conditions and I can't wait to get started."

Worrall is expected to arrive at the club for the start of the season and be available until July 2. He will be one of a host of Australian seamers plying their trade in England, with Worrall's fellow Redback Joe Mennie at Lancashire, Peter Siddle at Essex and Sussex reportedly lining up another South Australian, Chadd Sayers.

"It's great to have Dan joining us for the first part of the season. I've had some really positive feedback regarding his bowling, which should suit English conditions," Gloucestershire's head coach, Richard Dawson, said.

"He bowls a full length with decent pace and has good one-day skills. He will add depth and experience to our bowling attack for the start of the season. We're all looking forward to having him here in Bristol."