SKIPPER Daryl Mitchell believes West Indies paceman Shannon Gabriel will “add another dimension” to Worcestershire’s bowling attack.

The 27-year-old Test bowler joins relegation-threatened Worcestershire for their final two LV= County Championship Division One matches of the campaign.

Gabriel will replace Saeed Ajmal who is returning to Pakistan after next week’s home Championship clash with relegation rivals Sussex, starting on Tuesday (10.30am).

Worcestershire then travel to Durham and host Middlesex in their final two matches.

Mitchell said: “Gabriel can bowl fast and Durham tends to be a seamer-friendly place to play and it should suit him. He’s an out-an-out fast bowler who will add something different to our attack.

“The likes of Charlie Morris, Jack Shantry and Joe Leach have all been fantastic this season but Gabriel will add another dimension. He’s got a bit more pace than the guys we already have and, hopefully, we can use him in short, sharp spells as a strike bowler.”

Gabriel, who has taken 32 wickets in 14 Tests, will need official permission and the granting of a No Objection Certificate from the West Indies Cricket Board.

Mitchell said: “Some of the nets at New Road can be a bit spicy and somebody bowling at 90mph is not always the most pleasant. But it will be great experience for our lads to face someone like Gabriel in the nets and some of our bowlers will be able to learn a lot from somebody who has played Test cricket.”

Worcestershire are one-from-bottom, just four points adrift of Sussex, with two clubs relegated at the end of the season.

Mitchell has paid tribute to Pakistan spinner Ajmal, who shone in Worcestershire’s NatWest T20 Blast campaign.

“Saeed has been fantastic over the last couple of years but probably hasn’t got as many wickets for us as he would have liked in red ball cricket this season,” said Mitchell.

“Saeed has proven again what a fantastic white ball bowler he is in the 50-over competition as well as being outstanding in the T20 format. He was a very important cog in our wheel in qualifying for T20 quarter-finals.

“Two overseas players are available per club in T20 cricket so there’s potential he might come back in at least that format in the future.”