New Zealand all-rounder Logan van Beek is returning to Worcestershire as their overseas player for the finale of the 2024 season.
Van Beek, who plays international cricket for the Netherlands, has been signed to replace the injured Nathan Smith for the final four Vitality County Championship matches of the summer.
He had a successful spell at Visit New Road 12 months ago, playing five matches in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and two Championship matches.
The 33-year-old helped the Rapids reach the quarter-finals of the 50-over competition. On his debut, he scored an unbeaten 41 from 19 balls and took four wickets.
In the Championship, van Beek scored a half-century and had match figures of 8-88 in Worcestershire’s home win over Glamorgan, which helped Worcestershire clinch promotion to Division One.
This winter, he played alongside fellow New Zealander Smith for Wellington and helped them triumph in the Plunket Shield.
Van Beek will first be available for the encounter with Essex at Chelmsford beginning on Thursday, August 29.
Worcestershire Head Coach Alan Richardson said: “Really pleased to be getting Logan back. He started with us last year and helped us get promoted.
“First and foremost, we are getting someone who has shown his skills over the last couple of years, and we were lucky enough to benefit from that at the end of last year.
“It’s really unfortunate for Nathan, with his injury, that he had to cut short on his journey with us, which no doubt will continue.
“But Logan comes in and does a similar job, I guess, in terms of what he can provide for us.
“We also know what sort of character we are getting. He certainly knows what he is getting into as well, being a Worcestershire player previously.
“Hopefully, we will be part of us being really competitive going into these last set of games.
“What we know with Logan, apart from the character, is that we are going to get a three-dimensional cricketer.
“He is someone who is whole-hearted with the ball, who will put in some incredible shifts, and with the bat, he values his wicket highly but also can be really expansive, and you’ve got a very enthusiastic and highly skilled fielder.
“We knew from the conversations we had in and around Nathan that he brings a lot of energy to us, and he didn’t disappoint with that, and the expectations will be the same.
“We started on April 5, and it’s been a long old battle, so to have him coming in for the last month is really important for us.”
Van Beek is relishing the chance of a second spell at New Road.
He said: “My short stint with Worcestershire was very enjoyable last year and made a lasting impression on me, so I jumped at the opportunity to represent the Three Pears once again.
“It has been a tough year with the passing of Josh Baker who I really enjoyed sharing the dressing room with.
“I want to come and give the guys a boost of energy and finish the season on a high.”
Van Beek is also looking forward to being part of the attack alongside Joe Leach before he hangs up his spikes at the end of the season.
He said: “I am looking forward to bowling alongside the legend that is Joe Leach in his last few games for the club.
“His statistics speak for themselves but his passion for Worcestershire in unmatched.
“He plays with his heart and his soul, and that is the kind of team-mate I absolutely love playing with.”
Van Beek has been featured in 33 ODIs and 31 T20Is for the Netherlands. He had a previous spell of county cricket with Derbyshire in 2019, when he played nine Championship matches.
He moved from Canterbury to play for Wellington in 2016-2017 and has featured alongside Smith for several seasons in New Zealand.
