WHEN Ben Scott left New Road last summer to return to Middlesex little did he know that he would be back at Worcestershire 12 months on.

County director of cricket Steve Rhodes had pin-pointed then 18-year-old wicketkeeper Ben Cox as the man to succeed Steve Davies behind the stumps. The Stourbridge teenager completed his studies at Bromsgrove School and stepped straight back into the first-class arena, having made his debut at Somerset in September 2009, and Scott went back to his parent club.

Now 19, Cox has had a tough start to the season as he learns his trade in the firing line and Rhodes has opted to bring back a solid, experienced campaigner in Scott. And the Middlesex keeper admits he was a little shocked at getting a second spell with Worcestershire.

“It is a surprise, a pleasant one,” Scott said. “I absolutely loved my time here last year.

“I started the season in the Middlesex one-day team but I was hoping for an opportunity to play four-day cricket and as soon as this came up I grabbed it.”

Scott will remain with the County for one month, but his time at New Road could be longer if all parties feel it to be beneficial. “On my behalf, hopefully,” the 29-year-old said when asked if he would like to stay longer with Worcestershire.

“But it is a strange season. It was literally overnight that I came here but I would love to stay for longer than a month.

“Gus (Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s managing director of cricket) spoke to me to say that he had spoken to Bumpy.

Gus and Middlesex have been brilliant, they really have given me a good opportunity.”

Before Scott left Worcestershire last season the former England Lion was beginning to find form with the bat after impressing behind the stumps for the County. But, on his return to Lord’s, he was overlooked for the Middlesex championship side and last week at Edgbaston he played his first four-day match in 12 months.

“It is tough when you’re not playing four-day cricket,” he said.

“Only two years ago I was on the England ‘A’ tour to New Zealand. “I see myself more than capable of playing all forms of the game and that is why this is such a good opportunity. “My last championship scores for Worcestershire were 98, 70-odd and a 40 at the end of my spell and the game at Warwickshire was my next first-class game that I played, so as far as that goes I’m still in form.”

With Scott back, both the County and Cox can only benefit having an experienced keeper in the ranks.