MATT Mason and George Scrimshaw will link up with the ECB Pace Programme this week for a two-week camp in South Africa.

Worcestershire second XI coach Mason will assist one of his mentors in ECB lead fast bowling coach Kevin Shine from Thursday in Potchefstroom.

Scrimshaw, who made his senior debut for the County in the T20 Blast last summer, is one of the bowlers selected for the winter programme.

Mason has been aiding the programme at various get-togethers with the bowlers, including Scrimshaw, at the National Performance Centre, Loughborough, before and after the festive break.

Scrimshaw has been making encouraging progress after aggravating a stress fracture in his back towards the end of last summer.

Mason said: “There has been work done at Loughborough before and after Christmas.

"Basically all the stuff there is strengthening and conditioning-based and getting back to bowling drills.

“There is even batting stuff. Tim Boon is the batting coach for that programme. There is fielding too and it's quite a long programme.

“That is all in preparation to go to Potchefstroom and we are there for two weeks warm weather training.”

Mason continued: “George will be there and he is progressing really nicely.

"It’s been great to see George actually in that environment up there — working really hard, getting fit and strong and back to bowling after his injury. He is looking great.

“He is still drilling at the moment but by the time we get out to Potchefstroom he will be back on his long run and building up ready for the start of our summer.

“Hopefully his little period of injury time he’s had during the last two seasons is behind him now. He certainly looks fit and strong so that’s good news.”