Worcestershire will keep an Australian flavour with Test spinner Nathan Lyon set to replace John Hastings during the Champions Trophy.
It will be 29-year-old Lyon's first taste of county cricket after taking 247 wickets in 67 Tests.
Lyon, who became the youngest Australian finger spinner to reach 100 Test wickets at the age of 26, said it would be a good opportunity to test his skill set against different opposition and conditions.
"I always hoped the opportunity would come about," he told Melbourne radio station SEN.
"To be honest I have never really had a pre-season in my whole time playing professional cricket so I am really looking forward to heading over and getting stuck in."
"There are different things I can work on over there but I am just looking forward to the experience to be honest."
Allrounder Hastings was named in Australia's Champions Trophy 15-man squad last month alongside fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
The tournament starts on June 1 with Australia up against New Zealand a day later.
Lyon says while he will be with Worcestershire mainly to replace Hastings, he is grateful for the opportunity after a month's break on the back of the India tour.
"It is not like I am there for the whole season," he said.
"So I can go hard for a month and really try and put in some good work for Worcestershire.
"I have enjoyed the four weeks off but I am looking forward to getting back in to playing cricket."
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