Adam Hose says Worcestershire’s senior players – including himself – will be “looking to stand up” and help fill the gap left by the retired Joe Leach.
Leach hung up his spikes in September after more than a decade as a key performer on and off the pitch at Visit Worcestershire New Road.
But Hose, who celebrated his 32nd birthday in October, says he is one of a group of experienced players in the dressing room with the opportunity to “put your hand up for leadership roles” after Leach’s departure.
The middle order batter, who recently signed a new three year contract until the end of the 2027 season, said: “Joe Leach is obviously going to be a big miss for us as a group, not just what he could do for us on the pitch but what he offered off the pitch.
“But, saying that, that now offers opportunities to other senior guys within that dressing room to stand up, and put your hand up for leadership roles.
“Whenever one door closes, and unfortunately that one has done with Joe leaving the side, and it was really tough to see him go, another door opens.
“Senior guys like myself, and other lads within that dressing room, will be looking to stand up and take on that responsibility.”
At the other end of the age scale, Hose believes all-rounder Ethan Brookes, 23, is proving to be a major capture by Worcestershire after his successful first season.
Worcestershire’s Vitality Blast Vice-Captain said: “We have a lot of young and talented players and Ethan I believe is an absolute gem of a signing for Worcestershire.
“I think he is a brilliant multi-format cricketer.
“I think his attitude and his character is absolutely everything we want in and around the club.
“He showed that in leaps and bounds last season.
“It was very clear, from not just the playing group but the fan base as well, that we’ve got a really good cricketer on our hands.”
