Worcestershire 2024 signing, Nathan Smith, has helped Wellington climb into top position in the Plunket Shield and the New Zealander is now the competition’s joint leading wicket-taker.
Smith, available for all three formats with Worcestershire this summer, took his wicket haul to 30 in just 11 innings during the innings victory over Otago in Wellington with a day to spare.
He claimed two first innings wickets and is now level with Otago’s Jacob Duffy whose tally has come from 12 innings.
Smith, who will fly into England for the start of the County Championship campaign, helped Wellington secure a fourth win in seven games with the other three matches ending in draws.
Their win inside three days means they moved seven points clear of Northern Districts.
Smith and his team-mates will face Northern Districts in the final match at Hamilton beginning on March 27.
The all-rounder has been a model of consistency in the tournament and his figures include a career best 6-36 versus Canterbury.
Michael Bracewell, who played Vitality Blast cricket for Worcestershire last summer, had career best figures of 8-41 for Wellington in the second innings against Otago.