THE Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson has shared his own personal delight at Gareth Roderick signing a new contract.

Roderick was out of contract at the conclusion of the 2023 season but has signed a deal that will take him up to the end of the 2025 campaign. 

The South African has recently been promoted to opener and Richardson has been impressed with the way he has stood up with the bat in testing conditions.

"We are delighted Gareth has signed a new contract," he said. "He has been an integral part of our red ball side for a little while now.

"He struggled at the start of his time at Worcestershire and he will admit that. It wasn’t as we would have hoped, and as he would have hoped as well.

"But he has shown the character and resilience he has in abundance, and the skill he has as well.

"He has played some absolutely vital innings for us in red-ball cricket over the last 12 months and has been an invaluable member in the changing room."

Roderick has scored 901 runs at an average just under 48 since returning to the LV=Insurance County Championship side against Durham last June.

Richardson said: "It is not just the volume of runs but the situations in which he has got them in as well, it doesn’t feel like many of those have been easy runs!

"He has spent some valuable time at the crease and has played some great knocks.

"His hundred against Nottinghamshire last year, on a wicket that did quite a little bit, springs to mind against a side that got promoted and with a strong attack.

"He did fantastically well and his first innings here this year against Sussex, when we were really under the pump against Ollie Robinson, was crucial and also those against Leicestershire and Derbyshire

"There have been countless times when he has stood up and that is a huge quality that he has.

"We have talked about many of his strengths but, having those challenging times and being able to rise to the occasion, has been something that has really stood out for us."