New signing Alex Gidman admits he has been impressed with the maturity shown via the performances of the young players in the Worcestershire squad.
Gidman, 33, has become the most senior player in the Worcestershire squad in terms of age and experience after 12 years of first team cricket with previous county Gloucestershire.
He is looking forward to assisting skipper Daryl Mitchell if called upon to impart any help or advice in that department by the opening batsman.
But, although Worcestershire have a possee of Academy produced players in their squad, Gidman was impressed with their approach to the game in the two meetings between Worcestershire and Gloucestershire last season.
Gidman, who met his new team-mates for the first time on Monday, said: "I've played Worcestershire a couple of times and although the lads are young, they certainly didn't come across young.
"I thought they were very mature and, the way they played their cricket, suggested to me they had played a lot more than they have.
"I was actually quite surprised when I read the ages and the amount some of them have played because they came across as if they had played a lot more cricket than they have which is great.
"They are a very mature, level-headed bunch of young lads.
"I have come from a pretty young dressing room at Gloucestershire as well so it is something I'm kind of used to."
Gidman captained Gloucestershire from 2009 to 2012 – when former Worcestershire player Michael Klinger took over – and is looking forward to playing under Mitchell.
He said: "It will be a great new start for me to play under another captain and Daryl has been really successful.
"There is so much I can learn but hopefully offer as well and I'm more than happy to help in those kind of situations when they occur."
