Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach is expecting the Pears to get a new burst of life following the signing of Logan van Beek for the season finale.

Leach expects the return of the Dutch international to Visit Worcestershire New Road to provide a vital injection of energy for the final four Vitality County Championship matches, which began with the trip to take on Essex at Chelmsford.

Last year, van Beek had a successful stint with Worcestershire, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the Metro Bank One Day Cup and secure promotion to Division One of the County Championship.

Read more: Worcestershire's Tom Taylor speaks on turbulent Kent outing

Leach said: "It is terrific to have Logan back.

"Last year, when he came at a similar time, he brought a lot of energy to the group.

"We know he’s got obvious qualities that he first brought to Derbyshire and then to us last year."

The 33-year-old quickly became a popular figure among the team and supporters after arriving at the Pears.

Leach said: "Really looking forward to having him back.

"He fits into the changing room well, and his energy is infectious.

"At the end of a long season, to have someone of his character and nature is really good for a dressing room just to give us a bit of a boost."

(Image: Worcestershire CCC)

Van Beek comes in at an opportune time, having just wrapped up a fruitful stint as the leading wicket-taker in the Max60 T10 championship in the Caribbean.

He claimed 14 wickets in nine games over six days, averaging 12.85 to qualify for the Super Three knockout stages.

His most notable performance was a 3-16 return against Boca Raton Trailblazers.

Worcestershire are also pleased with the contribution from newly signed New Zealand pace bowler James Hartshorn in the Championship win over Kent.

Head Coach Alan Richardson expressed his ambitions for the rest of the season, saying: "Our task now in the remaining four games is to try and hit those standards as much as we can for as long as we can.

"But every game in Division One is really difficult, no more so than going to Essex on their patch."

He also emphasised the need for adaptability in different conditions, explaining: "One of the beauties of English county cricket is we get to play on all types of different surfaces and then you add in a slightly different ball as well, and it’s what helps cricketers evolve and get better.

“They are not playing the same game time and time again.

"They are having to think on their feet and plan ahead accordingly and all those sort of scenarios that change from game to game.”