Logan Van Beek says the passion for Worcestershire shown by Club Captain Brett D’Oliveira and being so warmly welcomed by everyone at New Road makes him even more determined to go out and perform at his very best for the County.
The Netherlands all-rounder will play the last game of his six-week spell with Worcestershire in the LV=Insurance County Championship top two meeting with Durham at New Road beginning on Tuesday (10.30am start).
He helped the Rapids reach the quarter-finals of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, playing the final six games, and scored a half century and took eight wickets in the Championship win over Glamorgan at New Road.
Now van Beek is looking to end on a high note by helping Worcestershire take another stride towards promotion before he links up with the Netherlands for the ICC Men’s World Cup in India.
Van Beek said: “It has been really enjoyable. Straight away when I came to New Road, I was welcomed with open arms by the players, by all the staff and supporters.
“Everyone has been fantastic and so immediately I felt very welcome and that made it easier for me to be able to go out there and try my best to help the team win.
“It’s been nice to win a few games, and sing the team song, and be part of that, and, going into these last two games for the team, it’s great to have an opportunity to try and push for promotion.
“There’s everything to play for in these last few rounds, very exciting and everyone is going to be on the ‘A’ game.”
Van Beek has been impressed by D’Oliveira as a character and the way he has fought his way back from a dislocated shoulder to lead the team at the climax of the season.
He said: “I sit beside him in the dressing room. Consistency is one thing I admire in someone and since his injury he has been in day in and day out, doing recovery work, rehab, training, and he hasn’t once missed a session.
“I’m happy to be led by someone like Brett, this place means a lot to him and I’d follow him into the fire.”
“Every time we’ve interacted he has been a positive, encouraging bloke and, when I go on the field, he is so passionate about Worcestershire cricket that you want to do your best on the field for him.
“That is definitely something that has encouraged me since I’ve been here and It’s always nice to play with guys that are very passionate about, not only the club, but also the game itself.”
Van Beek played a huge role in the Netherlands reaching the World Cup with his 30 runs in a Super Over in the win over the West Indies.
He played in the 2014 and 2022 ICC T20 World Cups but this will be his first taste of the 50 over format.
He said: “Since we’ve qualified, it’s been a bit of a countdown to October 6 when we take the field against Pakistan for the first game.
“The mind and body couldn’t be in a better place than it is now. It’s just a case of keep polishing the skills and going into each game with an attitude of ‘right let’s play this game, take the occasion out of it.’
“Obviously enjoy the occasion but just go out there and play the game. I’ve survived many losses, many injuries, and the journey of cricket throws many things at you.
“I want to finish on a high note with Worcestershire and then six weeks in India is going to be a memory for a lifetime.”
