After a busy winter representing a host of Clubs across the globe, Worcestershire’s stars have this week waved their goodbyes and returned home from another exhilarating winter abroad, as preparations for a bumper summer at New Road continue to ramp-up!
The playing contingent from South Africa and Australia have landed safely back on UK soil, (ready for slightly cooler climates!), and have rejoined the rest of the senior squad who are preparing for next week’s scheduled pre-season fixtures.
One member of the side, joining the Rapids later on in the summer, continues to make his mark in T20 cricket – with more details on his success below…
Dan Lategan: Durbanville CC (South Africa)
Dan has completed his season in South Africa and has rejoined the Worcestershire squad at New Road for pre-season training.
Gareth Roderick: Green Point CC (South Africa)
Gareth finished his final game with Green Point CC by scoring 30 from 34 balls in a seven-wicket win.
His side chased down 137 to win in just 28 overs, capping off another sensational summer.
Ben Gibbon: Sturt CC (Australia)
Ben finished his time in Australia in positive form, taking a handful of wickets for Sturt in his final two appearances.
In a two-day West End Men’s Division One game against Port Adelaide, Ben recorded figures of 3-63 from his 17 over spell as Port Adelaide declared on 185-8, before the match petered out into a draw as Sturt ended 92-7 late on the second day.
Ben’s final match for the Club saw him record season-best figures, impressing once again with a first innings haul of 4-28.
Although Ben’s efforts ended in a losing cause, with Sturt falling to a 26-run defeat, his excellent form during the winter will encourage all Worcestershire fans that 2026 is set to be a big year for the young seam bowler.
Henry Cullen: Woodville CC (Australia)
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Henry returned to action with a bang for Woodville in the final appearance of his spell with the Club.
The young batter returned in style, top scoring in the first innings with a cultured 52 from 80 deliveries, in a busy knock that anchored his team’s 157 all-out.
For the second time this season however, Henry was within touching distance of a sparkling century, only to be left stranded on 96 not-out in agonising fashion.
Scoring 15 boundaries during his 104-ball stay at the crease, the youngster eventually ran-out of partners and was left high and dry as his time were bowled out for 168, going on to lose by six-wickets in the final session.
Ben Allison and Matthew Waite: Altona North CC (Australia)
Both players have returned home for pre-season preparations with the rest of the Worcestershire squad.
Usama Mir: Sialkot (Pakistan)
Returning to New Road for the duration of the Vitality Blast T20 competition in 2026, Usama has been in action for Sialkot in the National T20 Cup, starring with both bat and ball.
In the opening game of the tournament Usama took a wicket in the first innings, before scoring a blistering 32-ball-63 from number eight, to keep his team in the contest right until the end, but his heroic knock could not prevent his team from falling to an opening day defeat.
Although not required to bat in his second tournament game against Lahore Blues, Usama produced a stunning performance with the ball to inspire his side to a crushing 110-run victory. Finishing with outstanding figures of 3.2-0-8-6, the leg-spinner displayed all of his bowling-talent to lead his team to a dominant win.
The fine run of form with the ball showed no signs of stopping in his next two outings, where Usama’s haul of 4-42 and 2-29 saw Sialkot make it three wins from four matches to start the campaign.
