Alan Mullally has told Ed Giddins: "I'm batting at number 10!"

Phil Tufnell's retirement means that Mullally and Ed 'The Duck' Giddins, who has a first class batting average of 5.34, are the two genuine number 11s on the county circuit.

But Mullally, who has a career batting average of 8.57, reckons he is a cert for promotion up the order now that Giddins has arrived at the Rose Bowl.

Mullally said: "There's only one winner. My batting's improved - Ed's batting at number 11."

He added: "We've got one of the best attacks in the country and the batters have been shaping up really well.

"I'm hitting the deck harder than I have for many a year and am bowling with venom now that the pain in my ribs has gone.

"Wasim has taught me a couple of things already and with Bruce Reid here as well, there's no shortage of bowling knowledge.

"But talk is cheap, it all comes down to producing the goods out in the middle in games that count - starting tomorrow.

"Ben (Smith) has impressed Worcestershire to be named captain, but I've got him out once or twice and have got one or two new things up my sleeve for him thanks to 'Was' and Bruce."