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WORCESTERSHIRE new boy Gareth Andrew believes he has gone from home to home after joining from Somerset in the close season.

The 24-year-old Yeovil-born seamer said goodbye to Taunton after four years with his home county and feels that the move to the 2007 NatWest Pro40 champions was right for him.

"I think that it was a good change, because both counties are actually quite similar," he said. "They are both smaller clubs and the set-up is similar as well so I have slotted in very well.

"The dressing room is a great place at Worcester. It's a super dressing room, there are no big characters or anything like that, it's been the same really, easy to settle in and I've been able to be my own person."

After sealing his move to New Road, the former England Under 19 international spent several weeks in South Africa under the tutelage of Highveld Lions coach Jimmy Cook in Johannesburg.

With seven weeks of training with the Wanderers as his base, Andrew feels the time in South Africa will benefit him this term.

"I was away for six or seven weeks just to get some cricket under my belt," said Andrew. "It was a bit hit-or-miss to know how much pre-season we would get, but I'm really enjoying it.

"I trained with the Lions and was based with Jimmy Cook over there and played club cricket on a weekend. I had use of the Wanderers and it became my home for seven weeks.

"It was good, South Africa is a lovely place and Johannesburg is a little bit interesting at times but I really enjoyed it and I will look to go back there again."

Andrew is hoping he can cement a place in Steve Rhodes' starting XI in the LV County Championship as well as the other limited-over matches.

The 24-year-old has left one former England international in Andrew Caddick behind and now he has to compete with Simon Jones, Kabir Ali, Matt Mason, Steve Magoffin until June and Fidel Edwards from July, as well as fellow youngsters Chris Whelan, Richard Jones and Mehraj Ahmed for a place in that XI.

"I would like to play as much cricket as possible," he said. "I have had no problems in the last couple of years with injuries, it's just been a successful side that I have played in. I have been in and out a lot and hopefully this year I can achieve a regular spot."

4:17pm Monday 28th April 2008

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