WORCESTERSHIRE have secured a new wicketkeeper for the start of next season.

Middlesex’s Ben Scott, 28, will play for the New Road side on loan, joining on April 3 for an initial four-week period which could be extended.

He will fill in before the County’s hot prospect behind the stumps, 17-year-old Ben Cox, finishes his school commitments in July after signing a four-year contract this winter.

Scott said: “I am extremely excited by this new challenge and I am looking forward to the experience.

“I am grateful to Worcestershire for potentially giving me the opportunity to play first XI cricket.

“My full intention is to show Middlesex that I not only have what it takes to play in their first XI but also to go on and perform at a higher level.”

Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said: “Worcestershire have a young keeper who they regard highly but educational commitments mean that he is unavailable for selection until the end of June 2010.

“Ben had a difficult season in 2009, a summer that culminated in Middlesex favouring John Simpson as our first XI wicketkeeper.

“In my view, John performed well enough last season to merit his selection in the first XI for the start of the 2010 season, which Ben has been made aware of.

“Ben has repeatedly been told that he remains a part of Middlesex’s plans moving forward and the club very much want him to be with them during pre-season.

“After reflecting on the Worcestershire loan offer, Ben informed us that he was keen to take up their request, believing it offered him the best opportunity to show Middlesex that he should be playing in their first XI for the 2010 season.”

Fraser added: “The loan agreement allows Middlesex to recall Ben at any point, should John sustain an injury that prevents him from playing.

“Middlesex can also recall Ben should John’s form no longer merit him a place in the first XI.

“Ben is permitted to play in the LV= County Championship match against Middlesex on April 9, 2010.

“To me, Ben playing for Worcestershire CCC is a win-win situation. There tends to be little second XI cricket played throughout April and May.

“The loan deal to Worcestershire gives Ben the opportunity to gain valuable early-season practice and hopefully find the form required to push John for his place in the first XI.”