Worcestershire wicket-keeper Ben Cox is to return to Australia and will play for Adelaide Cricket Club for the remainder of the winter.
The 23-year-old will link up with Adelaide on December 1 after making good progress with his rehabilation following a shoulder operation in early October.
Cox had a successful spell last winter when playing for Greenvale Kangaroos along with County colleague Jack Shantry – and continued that form with bat and behind the stumps for Worcestershire last summer.
He will become the fifth Worcestershire player this winter to play Down Under.
Tom Kiohler-Cadmore (Penrith Panthers), Alex Hepburn (Willetton Dragons), George Rhodes (North Canberra Gungahlin) and Ollie Westbury (Hay Park) are already playing grade creicket in Australia.
Worcestershire Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes confirmed: "Ben is going to Adelaide Cricket Club on December 1.
"He has had this operation but he has pulled through the rehab a lot quicker than we thought he would.
"Originally we thought it would be a different injury that might require a longer rehab.
"With this one, he has done really well and the physio and medical team are very happy and I'm very happy because he is the type of person you don't really need to look after.
"He is very professional and thorough in his training and his preparation for his cricket.
"Ben is the type of person who will benefit from going and playing and experiencing more cricket.
"The more cricket he plays, the better he will get."
Cox and the other Worcestershire players abroad will have to report back at the start of March for the pre-season trip to Abu Dhabi.
