Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes has hailed the impact made already at Worcestershire by new signing Alex Gidman – on and off the pitch.
Gidman scored his first half century for the club in the LV = County Championship in the innings win over Somerset since his move from Gloucestershire on a two year contract.
His first innings 78 was vital in laying the foundations after the loss of early wickets for the crucial 158 run partnership between Ben Cox (109) and Joe Leach (95).
But it is his contribution in other areas which Rhodes sees as equally important as an experienced right hand man to skipper Daryl Mitchell and as a "father figure" in a young and developing squad.
Rhodes said: "You are keen to make an impact when you come to a new county and added to that there are elements of pressure.
"When Moeen (Ali) doesn't play, in many ways there are only Mitch (Mitchell) and Giddo who are senior batsmen so there is quite a lot of pressure on those two to score the runs.
"He has settled in so well. He is really good fun. He doesn't give that impression when you play against him, coach against him. He looks a real miserable so and so!
"But deep down he is a real deep thinker, a good personality, a great character as well.
"The lads really enjoy him. They see him as a father figure, and he is the perfect right hand man for Daryl.
"He desperately wants to produce performances that win games of cricket. That innings against Somerset was crucial in building a platform for us."
