Head Coach Alan Richardson says Gareth Roderick has become an integral member of the Worcestershire red ball side after the keeper-batter signed a new contract until the end of the 2025 season.
Richardson has been impressed with the way Roderick has stood up and been counted and made many of his contributions with the bat in testing conditions.
He highlighted his first innings knock this summer against Sussex’s Ollie Robinson of 39 which halted a flood of wickets by the England seamer – a total of 14 in the game – and started a Worcestershire revival.
But a gutsy 59 spanning five hours in the win over Leicestershire on a difficult pitch and last week’s century to help earn a draw with Derbyshire also drew praise from Richardson.
Richardson said: “We are delighted Gareth has signed a new contract. He has been an integral part of our red ball side for a little while now.
“He struggled at the start of his time at Worcestershire and he will admit that. It wasn’t as we would have hoped, and as he would have hoped as well.
“But he has shown the character and resilience he has in abundance, and the skill he has as well.
“He has played some absolutely vital innings for us in red ball cricket over the last 12 months and has been an invaluable member in the changing room.”
Roderick has scored 901 runs at an average just under 48 since returning to the LV=Insurance County Championship side against Durham last June.
Richardson said: “It is not just the volume of runs but the situations in which he has got them in as well.
“It doesn’t feel like many of those have been easy runs!
“He has spent some valuable time at the crease, has played some great knocks.
“His hundred against Nottinghamshire last year, on a wicket that did quite a little bit, springs to mind against a side which got promoted and with a strong attack.
“He did fantastically well and his first innings here this year against Sussex, when we were really under the pump against Ollie Robinson, was crucial and also those against Leicestershire and Derbyshire
“There have been countless times when he has stood up and that is a huge quality that he has.
“We have talked about many of his strengths but, having those challenging times and being able to rise to the occasion, has been something that has really stood out for us.”
Roderick has also impressed Richardson with his performances behind the stumps.
He said: “Kept wicket immaculately? I think so. He just gets on with in an unfussy way and leads the boys on the field with the energy.
“He has got a lot of cricket nous and, like I said, been an invaluable member of the red ball side.”
