Head Coach Alan Richardson is delighted with the contribution of Worcestershire newcomers Matthew Waite and Adam Hose during the early phase of the 2023 LV=Insurance County Championship campaign.
Waite has scored 265 runs at an average of 66.25 with a maiden century against Derbyshire and also picked up eight wickets.
Hose showed his class in scoring 59 and 41 against Sussex at New Road and featuring in crucial partnerships with Gareth Roderick and century-maker Azhar Ali.
The pair will be looking to continue their good form in Thursday’s Championship match with Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens.
Richardson said: “It’s always nice to see Matthew or any of the players contribute on the field, and he should be really proud of his start to the season.
“I know he thinks there is still a bit more to come, but how he has settled into the squad, fitted into the changing room off the field, we knew what we were getting.
“It was an advantage having him on loan last year, but he has been fantastic and proved just what a valuable addition he has been already.”
Waite is adjusting to the challenge of playing week in and week out after his move from Yorkshire.
Richardson said: “That is something that will excite him. One of the reasons he left Yorkshire was to come and play regular cricket, so he is getting that real taste of it straight away.
“He has equipped himself brilliantly well and, just in terms of that, he will get better and better with that, learning to adapt and adjust to the weekly challenges going from game to game.”
Hose is also keen to play red ball cricket after his move from Warwickshire, and he showed his class against a Sussex attack in which Ollie Robinson was in inspired form.
Richardson said: “Adam was in at 44-5 on that first day, so we were not in the realms of getting 264.
“Him and Gareth (Roderick) put together a real crucial partnership. We were under a lot of pressure, and he negated that excellently I thought, and played his own way.
“He showed a nice bit of intent as well and did exactly the same again in the second innings and played really well.
His partnership with Azhar was absolutely vital.
“I think he just loves a challenge, and that really got him going, facing Ollie Robinson on a wicket that nipped around a bit and gave him a little bit of assistance.
“He is really good at problem-solving and really good at enjoying those challenges going forward. I thought he did it brilliantly well.”
Richardson has announced an unchanged 12-strong squad to face Glamorgan.
It comprises of the players in action against Sussex plus pace bowler Adam Finch who impressed for the Seconds in last week’s Championship win over Derbyshire at Repton School.
Dillon Pennington will also make the trip to Cardiff to do some rehab work while he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Richardson said: “It is just taking a bit of time. He is going to come down and help out and spend a bit of time with the Strength and Conditioning Coach and the Physio just to get him back up and running and to help out with the boys.
“It’s nothing, hopefully, long term. It’s just about monitoring it as much as possible.”
