WORCESTER, England, CMC – Alzarri Joseph has been named in Worcestershire’s 12-man squad for the contest at Derbyshire starting today, and head coach Alex Gidman believes the West Indies paceman could be an asset for the club throughout the County Championship campaign.
The 24-year-old arrived immediately following the conclusion of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka in his native Antigua earlier this month, and spent the required period in quarantine before finally hitting the nets with the rest of the squad.
Joseph will be available to the West Midlands outfit for the next seven matches, during which time Gidman is confident they can benefit from the player’s qualities.
“We’re excited that Alzarri has joined us. He is a very exciting young cricketer, and it’s great for us, our group and our supporters that he will be playing for us,” Gidman said.
“I’m looking forward to having him as part of the set-up and the skill set that he brings. To have him for pretty much the start of the season and this chunk of cricket ahead is going to be brilliant.”
Joseph has already played 16 Tests and 34 One-Day Internationals but his stint with Worcestershire will be his first taste of English county cricket.
A sharp right-armer whose batting has also blossomed in the longest format of recent, Joseph has already been hailed as a future star and Gidman said the partnership with the county could also be key in the Antiguan’s development.
“Overseas players have been tough to come by this year, so to get someone of the quality of Alzarri is going to be good for him and us,” Gidman pointed out.
“We hope it works for us, but part of the overseas deal for players is that it is also a positive experience for them and his own cricket journey.
“Hopefully, we can play a part in that as well.”
The County Championship, which bowled off last week, is being played amid the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic which has already severely disrupted sport in general.
As a result, the championship will face a hectic schedule, further underlining the importance of Joseph’s place in the Worcestershire squad.
“It is going to be a tough two months with back to back cricket throughout and no rest weeks, so hopefully, Alzarri’s addition allows us to genuinely rest a bowler each week,” Gidman said.
“That will be the hope and trying to avoid picking up injuries.”
Worcestershire drew their opening game away to Essex last week.
