CHIEF Matt Rawnsley believes next year's showpiece three-day clash with Australia will be a "great learning experience" for Worcestershire's players.

Blackfinch New Road hosts the action from August 7 to 9 in a match sandwiched by the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston and the second contest at Lord’s.

The Aussies have been involved in memorable tour games at County headquarters over the decades dating back to when Sir Donald Bradman used to regularly score centuries and double tons on the ground.

The last meeting was in 2013 when Nick Compton guested for the County with 79 runs in a bid to boost his claims for a place in the Test series.

County CEO Rawnsley said: “We once again feel very privileged and honoured to be staging a game against Australia and I’m sure it’s a fixture members and supporters will look forward to with relish.

“It adds that little bit extra to what is already an exciting programme of domestic cricket in the Specsavers County Championship, Royal London One-Day Cup and Vitality Blast.

“There have been some memorable fixtures with Australia in the past and at one time Worcestershire always traditionally played host to the touring side in their first match of the summer.

“It’s also a great chance for our players to put their skills against some of the very best players and can only be a great learning experience.”

The last time Worcestershire faced a full touring side was in 2017 against South Africa in their final match before the first Test with England at Lord’s.

The County will also take on Australia A in a one-day match at Blackfinch New Road on Tuesday, June 25.

The club is to stage the second one-day women's international of the summer series between England and West Indies on Sunday, June 9.

Worcestershire have hosted plenty of women’s internationals in recent years.

The tour matches mean a minimum of 44 days of cricket will be played at Blackfinch New Road next summer weather permitting.

Meanwhile, Moeen Ali can reflect on a golden three months with the ball in Test cricket after helping England complete a 3-0 series whitewash in Sri Lanka.

The Worcestershire all-rounder equalled the record for the most wickets by an England bowler in a Test series in Sri Lanka.

Spin pair Moeen and team-mate Jack Leach ended with 18 at an average of 24.50 to emulate the achievement of Ashley Giles during the 2003-2004 tour of Sri Lanka.

Moeen has taken 30 wickets in just five Tests since regaining his spot for the final two of the summer against India.

England skipper Joe Root said: “Moeen has really stepped up as a senior bowler within that group (of spinners) and led the way.

“He has been quite vocal at times on the plans and tried to get the best out of the other two (Leach and Adil Rashid). He deserves a lot of credit for that.”

Moeen also led Worcestershire to Vitality Blast glory in a memorable period for the 31-year-old.

He has claimed 163 Test wickets and his average has dropped down to 37.44.

The 31-year-old picked up four wickets four times during the Sri Lankan series in spin-friendly conditions.

Moeen had returns of 4-66 and 4-71 in Galle, 2-85 and 4-72 in Pallekele and then 0-55 and 4-92 in Colombo.