Worcestershire sign Alzarri Joseph for County Championship spell

The 24-year old pace bowler has played 14 Tests for West Indies, claiming 34 wickets

County cricket squad updates

Worcestershire have signed West Indian Alzarri Joseph for the 2021 County Championship.

The 24-year old, who will arrive at the county at the beginning of April, is available for their first seven matches of the season.

Joseph, a fast-medium pace bowler, has made 14 red-ball appearances for West Indies, claiming 34 wickets, and has a career total of 121 First-Class wickets at an average of 26.68.

Also a talented white-ball player, the Antiguan has taken 54 wickets in 34 ODI appearances and holds the best figures in Indian Premier League history after taking 6-12 on his debut for Mumbai Indians in 2019.

Commenting on signing for Worcestershire, Joseph said: "I am thrilled to be joining Worcestershire for the early part of the summer.”

"When I heard the club was interested in me, I had no hesitation in saying yes. The club has a strong squad with a nice balance of youth and experience, and I’m really looking forward to working with bowling coach Alan Richardson.

"I would also like to thank Cricket West Indies for allowing me the opportunity to go and experience county cricket."

Meanwhile, Worcestershire chairman, Paul Pridgeon, said: "He is a quality performer, and we are delighted to have signed him for the best part of two months.

"With it looking like Josh Tongue and Pat Brown may not be match fit for the start of the season, Alex Gidman (head coach) and Joe Leach (club captain) both felt they needed another seamer.

"Alzarri is going to be available for seven matches and is an exciting prospect. He opened the bowling in the Tests against England last year and more recently played in the ODI side against Sri Lanka."

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