Tuesday, August 27th, 2024

Worcestershire re-sign Surrey spinner Virdi on loan for remainder of 2024 season

Virdi is available to play in the final four Vitality County Championship matches beginning with Thursday’s encounter with Essex at Chelmsford.

The 26-year-old had a one match loan spell at Visit Worcestershire New Road earlier in the campaign and played in the victory over Durham at Seat Unique Riverside in early July.

A seamer-friendly pitch meant Virdi was not required to bowl but he will be in contention to play a fuller part in the final month of the campaign.

He further bolsters the Worcestershire attack after the signing of New Zealand pace bowler James Hartshorn for the last five Championship games.

Virdi has taken 123 first class wickets in 42 matches at an average of 30.71 with a career best performance of 8-61 against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 2019.

Chiswick-born Virdi played for England Under-19s and has been part of England training squads for various international series.

His last Championship appearance for Surrey was in 2021 although he played four matches in last summer’s Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Worcestershire Head Coach Alan Richardson is delighted to further strengthen the squad after signing New Zealand pace bowler James Hartshorn for the remainder of the season.

He said: “Really happy that Surrey have enabled us to make that happen. They have a very strong squad with a slightly different balance with five seamers and use players like Cameron Steel, Will Jacks and Dan Lawrence as their spinners.

“There is an opportunity for Virds to come and play for us which we are really excited about.

He came in for the Durham game but unfortunately didn’t have the chance to bowl because of the conditions.

“But we know we’ve got someone who is a quality spinner who hasn’t had many opportunities.

“There is obviously a gap in our squad when it comes to spin so it feels like he is a really good fit for us having already been with us.

“It is real important for us to have that balance. We go to Chelmsford next and historically it has helped a spinner at times so it will be good to have him in the squad for that.

“Nice to have him in the squad and able to pick him when needed, and I’m sure he will be.

“It is great we have got additions to the squad and to have little bit of depth and not be dictated in terms of what the 11 is going to be.”