Pears' on-loan Surrey spinner Virdi in shop window

Between claiming his last scalp for Surrey in September 2021, Amar Virdi had gone almost three years without taking a wicket until he struck for the Pears last month at Chelmsford

Surrey spinner Amar Virdi admits that he has been "in the shop window" during his loan with Worcestershire and that he is "potentially looking for another club".

Virdi is currently on his second loan this season with the Pears, for whom he will play his final game against relegation-threatened Lancashire at New Road this week.

Having played one game in early July without even getting on to bowl, he has now taken 14 wickets in approaching 140 overs in three matches since returning to the Pears and clearly has his rhythm back.

That began with five in the match at Chelmsford against Essex, which served up the astonishing win that did most to keep Worcestershire in Division One for another year, for only the second time in eight attempts since winning the first of their record seven promotions in 2003.

He then followed that up with nine in the match in this week's defeat by second-placed Hampshire.

“It felt good to take nine wickets in the match," Virdi told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "I’m just happy to have got some more overs in.

“I hadn’t played for a few years because the pitches at The Oval have been more seamer friendly, so it has been good to let everyone know I’m still around, doing well, and taking wickets.

"Hopefully it puts me in the shop window."

Amar Virdi got his chance at Worcester partially because of the shoulder injury suffered by Brett D'Oliveira that has prevented the Pears captain doing much bowling

Virdi had not bowled a ball in County Championship cricket in almost three years when he first joined the Pears in June.

He only came for one match and did not get a chance to turn his arm over, and in his one Championship game on loan with Somerset in 2022, he did not take a wicket.

Meanwhile, in his three years without getting a chance at The Oval, Surrey have won the Championship three times on the trot.

But this latest loan has brought Virdi back to the sort of form that earned 119 wickets for the former England Under-19 spinner in his first four and a bit seasons with Surrey and also brought him further international recognition at England Lions level. And he admits that it is all about bowling more regularly and getting into a decent rhythm.

“Any spinner needs to bowl within eight and 10 overs to get a wicket. If you aren’t getting those overs, it's hard to take wickets. So when I get the ball in hand, I want to try and keep it as long as possible.

“I've always believed in my ability and know I can do well when I have the ball in hand and get the backing from the captain.

“I've really enjoyed being with Worcestershire. The lads have made me fit in really well. And it's nice to be back out there.

“I'm potentially looking for another club for next year. I’m not too sure what the plans are, but hopefully by the end of the season I'll have an opportunity."

Amar Virdi was talking to BBC Hereford & Worcester's Dave Bradley