Wessels signing shows statement of intent, says Worcestershire skipper

Wessels has signed a three year contract up until the end of the 2021 campaign after leaving Nottinghamshire

Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach says the signing of wicketkeeper-batsman Riki Wessels is a “statement of intent” in terms of the progression being made and ambitions of the club.

Wessels has signed a three-year contract up until the end of the 2021 campaign after leaving Nottinghamshire.

He follows allrounder Wayne Parnell, who also signed a three-year deal, in strengthening the county’s ranks.

Leach said: “It is a good signal of intent, having lost Joe (Clarke), to bring in a high-class replacement and it is really important for us to keep going forward.

“Wayne Parnell and Riki Wessels are quality players and it is good statement that the club are attracting players of such standing and ability.

“Riki will be a like for like replacement for Joe at the top of the order in white-ball cricket and in the Championship will slot into the middle order with Callum (Ferguson) and heighten competition for places.

^{Leach missed the majority of the season through injury}

“I have been on the receiving end of a couple of his innings in white-ball cricket and the bowlers will be relieved that he is on our side from now on!

“It will be a new challenge for him in a new environment and a slightly different role as an elder statesman.

“But the fact we can persuade a player of Riki’s quality to join us shows what we are about as a club – one that is going forward.

“The ground and the facilities sell themselves and the side is doing the same now.”

Meanwhile, Leach is on target to return to full training when the players report back for their winter programme in November.

Leach has been side-lined since early June with a stress fracture of the back and played only five Championship matches this summer.

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But the 27-year-old has made a successful start to his rehabilitation programme.

Worcestershire Head Of Sports Science and Medicine Ben Davies confirmed: “Joe picked up a stress fracture of his back in June. He has made a real good start to his rehab with no pain at all.

“He is doing bike work, cross-trainer work, circuits in the gym.

“He is progressing exactly how we want him to do. He will join in full training with the lads in November.”

Leach was Worcestershire’s leading wicket-taker for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 campaigns with a combined tally of 193 Championship wickets in that period – 59, 65 and 69 respectively.

Feature courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network