WORCESTERSHIRE all-rounder Matthew Waite is hoping to build on a successful first full season at Worcestershire in 2024, both individually and as a team.

Waite played in the first 11 games of the County Championship season, as well as featuring in seven One Day Cup and two T20 Blast matches. 

For the 27-year-old, 2023 was the year he played the most cricket, and only a groin injury toward the end of the campaign prevented him from completing a full season of cricket. 

And he put that down to a stint in South Africa at the beginning of the year, prior to the season getting underway. 

"After my history, it was nice to be able to play so much cricket," he said. "To get through 11 Championship games and seven One Day Cup games and play a couple of T20 matches, I’m really pleased with it.

"I think a big thing is I went to South Africa off my own back in the winter.

"I went out there and built my overs up outside rather than indoors because in the past I always seemed to pick up something like a foot injury or a bruised ankle indoors.

"I went away to build things up, and then just try and hit the ground running when I got back to Worcestershire, and it paid off.

"I got some good loads into my body and came back and felt in a good place. It definitely served its purpose, and I was pleased to be able to contribute for Worcestershire in a successful season.

"It’s great to have that confidence in your body. I think being older helps, being more used to it, and just having more overs under my belt, and hopefully it stays that way.

"Until the groin injury at the end of the season, I couldn’t have asked for anymore really.

"It will give me confidence going into next season and it will only help having this under my belt now, and the workloads. Hopefully I can build on it again in 2024.

"Next year if I can be a bit more consistent with the ball, and put it together with my batting, I’ll be happy with that."

His consistency with the bat and the ball was invaluable throughout the campaign but he added that gaining promotion to Division One of the County Championship was a group effort. 

"It has been a brilliant season. Two quarter-finals and promotion. I don’t think you can ask for much more," he said.

"You want to win everything but it’s obviously tough to do that. I read it’s the most wins we’ve had since 2018.

"It’s been a great team effort and been so enjoyable to be a part of the team and I’ve really enjoyed my first season at Worcestershire.

"I’ve loved it. They are so welcoming and I feel like I’ve fitted in quite well and, on the pitch and off the pitch, it’s been great."