Overseas signings Jason Holder and Nathan Smith have linked up with Worcestershire's cricket team, ahead of the 2024 season.

After meeting their new teammates, the pair took part in their first practice session in Kidderminster on Tuesday (April 2).

Smith arrived in England on Monday (April 1), fresh from a successful season in his native New Zealand where he ranked as the top wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield.

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Holder, the former West Indies test captain, jetted in from the West Indies on Tuesday after playing four-day cricket for Barbados, and had a net session alongside Smith at Chester Road.

Head Coach Alan Richardson welcomed their arrivals.

He said: "Jason arrived Tuesday morning from the West Indies and he has already practiced with us at Kidderminster.

"He was really keen to get out there and meet the players and the staff and that has been great.

"Nathan arrived on Monday and he also came to practice on Tuesday to stretch his legs after the flight."

In view of this year's T20 World Cup, Richardson recounted the challenges in acquiring overseas players due to franchise cricket.

On Hlder, Richardson said: "He has been playing for Barbados and played quite a lot of four-day cricket recently.

"He was keen to continue and then going into the World Cup with the West Indies."

On Smith, he added: "With Nathan we had heard so many good things about him as a character and, with Jason, glowing references about how he is off the park as well."

He concluded: “It feels like we’ve got a real nice mix.

"We’ve got Jason who has played a lot of cricket and travelled the world and captained his country, knows what it is all about and is just excited to get out there and play some cricket.

“We will hugely benefit from the wealth of experience he brings and with Nathan it is someone who is really eager and keen to get out there.

“He has not played first class cricket over here before but he sees it as a real part of his journey.”