ALL-ROUNDER Matthew Waite has become Worcestershire’s second signing in a fortnight after penning a three-year deal at New Road.
Waite spent a short spell on loan at New Road earlier in the season from Yorkshire and will make the move full-time on October 1, alongside Warwickshire middle order batter Adam Hose.
Pears chiefs believe Leeds-born Waite will fill the void which will be left by Ed Barnard’s departure to Edgbaston at the end of the season.
Waite played for Worcestershire in the LV=Insurance Championship win over Leicestershire at New Road where he had match figures of 25-12-50-6, including 4-35 in the second innings, and scored 13 not out in his only innings.
“Even in that short time, I could see the great potential at the club, with a mixture of youngsters and experience,” Waite said.
“It’s a club wanting to experience more success in red ball and white ball cricket, and I want to play my part and feel I can contribute with bat and ball. I’m 26, it’s an ideal move at this stage of my career, a fresh challenge, and I can’t wait to get started this winter.”
Since his spell at the Pears, Waite has played in four Division One games for Yorkshire, plus making five appearances in the 2022 Vitality Blast, including on Finals Day.
Having joined Yorkshire in 2014, he was their Young Player of The Year in 2016 and the following year scored his maiden List A half-century with 71 off 58 balls against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
His maiden five-wicket haul followed in 2019 against Leeds-Bradford UCCE, and his 4-35 for Worcestershire against Leicestershire was a Championship-best performance.
Cricket Steering Group chairman Paul Pridgeon said: “He has top division experience in the LV=Insurance County Championship and has played quite a lot of white ball cricket.
“We really like him as a cricketer, and we liked his personality when he was here as well. He fitted in our dressing well, and that is something that is important to us.
“He fits the bill for us perfectly, and we hope he will be very successful for us.”