Worcestershire re-sign Virdi and Van Beek

Amar Virdi has taken five or more wickets in an innings on five occasions

Worcestershire have re-signed Surrey off-spinner Amar Virdi and Dutch all-rounder Logan van Beek for their four remaining County Championship games of 2024.

Virdi, 26, played in the win over Durham in late June-early July, although he did not bowl a single over in the game.

He has taken 123 wickets in 42 first-class matches but has not played a Championship game for Surrey since 2021.

Van Beek, who played for the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, took eight wickets in two Championship games for Worcestershire last summer.

The 33-year-old has recently been playing for Grand Cayman Cougars in the Max60 tournament in the Caribbean.

"My short stint with Worcestershire was very enjoyable last year and made a lasting impression on me, so I jumped at the opportunity to represent the Three Pears once again," Van Beek said. "I want to come and give the guys a boost of energy and finish the season on a high.”

Worcestershire moved up to sixth in Division One with their eight-wicket win over Kent at New Road on Sunday.

But they are only 11 points ahead of next-to-bottom Lancashire as they look to secure their top-flight status for next summer.

Following this week's away game against Essex, their three remaining fixtures are Warwickshire (home), Hampshire (away) and Lancashire (home).

On Virdi's return, head coach Alan Richardson said: "There is obviously a gap in our squad when it comes to spin so it feels like he is a really good fit for us having already been with us.

“It is real important for us to have that balance. We go to Chelmsford next and historically it has helped a spinner at times so it will be good to have him in the squad for that."

Logan van Beek has played 33 one-dayers and 31 T20 internationals