Worcestershire have signed New Zealand pace bowler James Hartshorn to strengthen their squad for the end of the 2024 season.
The 26-year-old will play a key role in the conclusion of the Vitality County Championship.
Hartshorn plays for Wellington alongside fellow Kiwi Nathan Smith, who has had to cut his time with Worcestershire short this summer due to injury.
The Manawatu-born bowler helped Wellington lift the title during last winter's Plunket Shield, returning his career-best figures of 4-17 in October.
Having played 11 first-class matches, he has taken 19 wickets and played four in List A cricket.
His father David played for Canterbury and New Zealand Young Cricketers, while his uncle Richard represented New Zealand Under-19s.
Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson said: "With James, it is quite a flexible arrangement.
"He has been playing down in Sussex for Middleton Cricket Club and has been doing really well.
"He was put on our radar by Shane Jurgensen, the Wellington head coach, who I have developed a bit of a relationship with recently over recent times with Nathan Smith and Logan van Beek.
"We were just talking and he couldn’t speak highly enough of James.
"I know he is a fairly inexperienced player so far and is at the start of his journey.
"But he is someone who excites Shane, who has been around a lot and knows his bowlers and has started to break into the Wellington side.
"They see him going from strength to strength so it was an opportunity for us for James to come along."
Hartshorn said: "I’m looking forward to having my first taste of county cricket which can only be beneficial in terms of my development and a great learning curve.
"I’ve spoken to Logan and Nathan and they have nothing but glowing things to say about Worcestershire and their time at the club over the past year and the way they were made to feel welcome.
"It was great to be part of the Wellington squad which won the Plunket Shield last winter and I hope in some way I can help Worcestershire achieve their goals for the remainder of the summer."
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