County move in for Batty

The talented 24-year-old off-spinner and right-hand batsman has arrived at New Road on a three-year contract.

Batty said: "The opportunity to play first-class cricket at Surrey has been limited although I have learnt a great deal from Saqlain Mushtaq during my time there.

"It is clear Worcestershire are a team on the rise and I feel my chances of playing first-class cricket will be improved."

Worcestershire's Director of Cricket Tom Moody said: "This is our second important signing for next season. Gareth's undoubted ability will be a great asset to our squad.

"There is no question he is an exciting talent and we are very fortunate that he has decided to commit his future to New Road. His skill with the ball will help balance our squad and his explosive match-winning batting will take us a long way.

"He's had invaluable experience at Surrey under the likes of Saqlain and Ian Salisbury and we are lucky to get him at this point in his career because he is ripe for the picking. A lack of first team opportunities made him think twice where he was in his career.

"We are lucky to be the club he's decided to come to. It's hard having only the one spinner. If Matthew Rawnsley gets an injury which he did this year it leaves you a bit light. We needed to strengthen that area."

Batty was voted the country's Second XI Player of the Year in 2001 and regularly featured in Surrey's one-day team towards the end of the season.

He was born in Yorkshire and made his debut for them in 1997 before moving to Surrey the following year.

Last term he played in one County Championship match and in 12 Norwich Union League games scored 317 runs at an average of 35.22, including a personal best 83no against Yorkshire at The Oval in September. He captured 11 league wickets at 23.27 each.

Batty's move follows last month's signing of 29-year-old batsman Ben Smith on a three-year contract from Leicestershire.