hamish rutherford has flown in to begin his spell with worcestershire – and will become the 10th new zealand born cricketer to play specsavers county championship cricket for the county.
rutherford arrived in england yesterday to start his three week stint as the early season overseas player at New Road.
he is set to make his debut in the championship clash with leicestershire at the fischer county ground beginning on thursday in addition to being available for five royal london one-day cup group games.
the worcestershire link with new zealand spans 100 years and began with the appearance of frederick abbott (colours number 100) who appeared for the county in 1919 and 1920.
he was followed by thomas wells (number 268) in 1950 but the bulk of kiwis to have represented the county gathered pace with the arrival of glenn turner in 1967 (number 319).
turner was one of the most prolific batsmen seen at New Road and ended his career in 1982 with a total of 34,346 first class runs at an average of 49.70 at the age of 35.
his compatriot john parker (326) played for worcestershire between 1971 and 1975 and then lou vincent ( 439) was with the county for a spell in 2006.
mitchell mcclenaghan (number 489) was brought in during 2014 followed by matt henry (number 496) two years later and then mitchell santner (number 497) for 2016 and 2017.
martin guptill, worcestershire’s 2019 vitality blast signing, became number 508 last summer when he played two championship matches.
now rutherford (514) is lifting the number of new zealand born players to play championship cricket for the county into double figures.
colin munro played one championship game in 2014 but he was born in durban, south africa.
*thanks to andrew thomas, author of ‘pears 150’ for the above information and his book is still available to purchase from the supporters’ association club shop on matchdays, priced £28.
