Worcestershire bowling coach Matt Mason has stressed the importance of "looking after" all-rounder Gareth Andrew after his successful comeback from two injury-hit seasons.
Andrew picked up eight wickets in the emphatic 125 run win over Kent in the LV County Championship clash at New Road with returns of 4-42 and 4-43 after taking the new ball.
The former Somerset player formed an effective pace attack in harness with Jack Shantry and Charlie Morris with the trio claiming 16 of the 20 wickets to fall during an impressive all-round performance from the side.
He is one of only two members of the side aged 30 – the other is skipper Daryl Mitchell – and Mason believes "key player" Andrew has reaped the benefits of reducing his bowling run-up this season.
Mason said: "It was terrific for Gareth. He has had a tough couple of seasons and again it was a really tough winter for him coming back from injury.
"He has worked really hard, we looked after him well, and I think he has started this season as fresh as he has done for a couple of years.
"I like his short run-up. You might have noticed he is coming off a shorter run-up which we think will help him and the ball is coming out as well as it ever has."
Mason added: "Gazza is 30 years old of age now, which is by no means old, but his workload is huge.
"He plays all formats of the game, he bats in the middle order, he bowls his overs, and he is a key player for us so we've got to look after him, definitely."
Worcestershire have collected 32 points from their opening two games but now have an 11 day break before they return to action against Derbyshire at New Road, starting on Sunday April 27.
