THERE will be a snappy new mascot making a splash and entertaining cricket fans this summer.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has taken further inspiration from the floods which once again submerged the club's New Road ground earlier this year and unveiled Nile the Crocodile as their official mascot.

The toothsome Nile succeeds Peter Pear and Roary Royal in the role and he will be adding some extra bite to this season’s NatWest T20 Blast and Royal London One-Day Cup home matches.

Nile is a hand-drawn and bespoke creation from Beard, a creative branding studio based in the Trinity, Worcester, and he comes complete with his own comic strip.

The colourful cartoon reveals how a rumoured siting of crocodile in the middle of the pitch led to the discovery of three eggs by the pear tree next to the Chestnut Marquee, with one hatching into the new mascot.

Worcestershire are keen to stress he will be a friendly crocodile and there is no danger to life or limb from the amphibious critter.

The decision to appoint a crocodile continues the water theme flowing through the club after the launch of the Worcestershire Rapids identity for the club’s 2014 NatWest T20 Blast campaign.

Nile will be making his New Road debut during the NatWest T20 Blast match against Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Friday, May 30, when he will be handing out free goodies to junior fans.

Away from the ground, he will be visiting schools and clubs in the local community to promote the county.