Worcestershire sign Australia batsman Travis Head

Head - who has 44 international caps - will be available to feature for the county in all formats through to mid September

^{Heading to Worcester}

Worcestershire have announced the signing of Australia international Travis Head as their main overseas player for the summer of 2018.

Head - who has 44 international caps to his name - will join ahead of the County Championship season and will be available to feature for the county in all formats through to mid September.

Australia commitments - five ODIs and one T20I against England - will see the exciting batsman miss two Championship fixtures in June.

Worcestershire say they are in the process of searching for a second "leading overseas player" to cover those matches as well as the two final rounds of the County Championship season.

Head will come into the season in fine form, having led Adelaide Strikers to victory in this year's Big Bash, defeating Hobart Hurricanes in the final. The 24 year old scored 374 runs at 53.43 in the competition.

The South Australian has featured in 34 ODIs and 10 T20Is for his country but is yet to win a Test call-up.

^{Head has 44 international caps}

Tim Curtis, Worcestershire's vice-chairman said: “We are delighted to have signed Travis after obtaining a heads of agreement from Cricket Australia.

“Travis will start the season with us in April and will be with us right through to and including T20 finals day on September 15.

“He will miss two Championship games in June when Australia have a ODI Series and a T20I against England over here.

“He has just captained Adelaide Strikers to the Big Bash title after playing a big part with the bat in the final and semi-final and played that fine innings against England in a recent ODI.

“But he is ambitious to play Test cricket and Cricket Australia have encouraged him and other young players to play cricket this summer.

“He is hungry to do well and play all types of cricket and he also spoke to Mo (Moeen Ali) in Australia and he gave him positive vibes about coming to Worcestershire.

“In addition to his batting, Travis is keen to develop his spin bowling and certainly in white ball cricket he is used in that role by the Strikers.”