Worcestershire Royals have signed Aussie all-rounder Steve Smith to play Friends Provident T20 cricket this season.

Smith, 20, a right-handed batsman and leg spinner, impressed in helping the New South Wales Blues win the ICC Champions League Trophy campaign in 2009.

He followed that up with an excellent domestic season which culminated in selection for the Australian Twenty20 team which played Pakistan last week.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes consulted with the county's Australian opener Phil Jacques about signing Smith.

Rhodes said: "I have been watching Steve's progress over the last year and I have spoken to Phil Jaques about him.

"There is no doubt he is a highly talented young player who has already proved he can perform on the big occasion.

"We are determined to improve our Twenty20 performances this year. We will be a young squad and I know Steve will fit in with what we want to achieve. His is a very exciting signing."

Worcestershire are rebuilding their squad after the departure of Simon Jones, Stephen Moore, Steve Davies, Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali since the end of last season.