Worcestershire all-rounder John Hastings is relishing his return to the international stage with Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy.
The 31-year-old is looking forward to his country's opener against New Zealand at Edgbaston tomorrow (Friday) after a successful start to his first summer at New Road.
Hastings has played a key role in Worcestershire's flying start to the campaign and wants more of the same success for his country before returning to his adopted county.
He said: "They have probably picked me in the squad because of my English experience of playing county cricket and I know those surfaces quite well.
"I'm looking forward to it. It's exciting. Anytime you get to represent your country it's an amazing achievement and for me, it's no different.
"I love playing cricket for Australia and I've been in that elite set-up. It brings the best out of me.
"We've got a very good white ball side and it's led very well by Steve Smith as well.
"He's really galvanised the group over the last little bit so I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be excellent.
"People come out to watch cricket in England and we get to play England at a packed stadium at Edgbaston in our last group game."
Hastings hopes Australia can go all the way to the final at The Oval on June 18.
But if they make an earlier exit then his focus would switch to the Rapids Royal London One-Day semi-final with Yorkshire Vikings or Surrey at New Road on June 17.
He said: "If we don't make the knockout stages, then I'll be back with Worcestershire and hopefully play in that semi-final.
"On the other hand, hopefully Australia go really deep in the tournament."
