MAJOR new recruits at Worcestershire are unlikely, according to New Road director of cricket Steve Rhodes, who will instead look to give further chances to his up-and-coming youngsters.
Players won’t be signed for the sake of it with Rhodes prefering to keep faith with the likes of Tom Fell, Ross Whiteley and Alexei Kervezee next season.
However, Rhodes has confirmed the club will definitely employ an overseas player next term, but could not say whether or not they would look to retain the services of veteran Sri Lanka batsman Thilan Samaraweera.
“When you look at quality cricketers like Nick Compton and Jos Buttler, it is no surprise counties have been chasing them,” said Rhodes.
“But there is no point in us signing someone similar to what we already have.
“If the right people aren’t available, there’s no point just bringing players in for the sake of it.
“We have brought through a number of young lads this year and we hope they can continue to improve even more.
“A lot of our guys still have a bit of room to grow — people like Alexei, who didn’t have the most successful four-day season, but we know there is so much more he can offer.
“Tom has come in and done very well and you would say we don’t know how far he can go at this stage.
“Ross is another example of a player with a lot of potential to grow and he can go from strength to strength.”
Rhodes is also still waiting to hear back from a few current players regarding contract extensions, but doesn’t expect wholesale changes to his squad.
He added: “We have some guys who have been offered contracts and we’re waiting to hear back from them. Players always have a 28-day period to decide and there are still a few guys in that bracket. I don’t think there will be many people coming in to add to what we already have.
“Our overseas player situation for next season has not been decided yet — I will sit down with captain Daryl Mitchell and look at our plans.
“We have some holes in the squad, but I’d like a top-order overseas batsman, as well as an all-rounder and a quick bowler, but we can only have one.
“Thilan averaged 39 in the Championship this season, which might surprise a few people who think he didn’t do as well as that. It is higher than Phil Hughes averaged in four-day cricket.
“It would be great to have the money Surrey have and be able to spend up to the salary cap, but we are nowhere near doing that. However, a part of planning our budget includes having an overseas player next season.”
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