Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018

Worcestershire Sign Nottinghamshire Paceman Luke Wood On Loan

worcestershire ccc have signed nottinghamshire’s left am pace bowler luke wood on loan.

the 22-year-old is linking up with the county for a 28-day period.

the sheffield born player has played 25 first class matches, taking 66 wickets at an average of 32.62 with a best of 5-40.

he has also scored 809 first class runs at an average of 26.96, including a century in only his eighth innings – against sussex at trent bridge in 2015.

wood is a product of the nottinghamshire academy and signed a new contract during the winter until the end of the 2019 season.

he played in nottinghamshire’s opening two specsavers county championship matches of this season, against lancashire at old trafford and yorkshire at headingley.

wood impressed against the county’s seconds in a championship game at stourbridge last month when he returned figures of 5-44.

he was part of the england under-19 squad for the 2014 icc world cup in the uae alongside worcestershire duo joe clarke and ed barnard.

wood’s breakthrough season for nottinghamshire came in 2015 along with jake ball and a return of 30 wickets from 11 championship matches led to a place on an ecb fast bowling camp in south africa.

his arrival at New Road will bolster the county’s bowling ranks.

skipper joe leach is out for the remainder of the season with a stress fracture of the back and josh tongue is side-lined until mid-august with a metatarsal injury although it is hoped he will be available for the final six championship matches.

worcestershire head coach kevin sharp said: “as people will be aware, we have had one or two injuries to our bowlers and were keen to bolster the squad.

“luke has some experience under his belt now and he will give us that bit more experience.

“notts are keen for him to play some more first team cricket and we are delighted to do a deal to have the services of luke for this 28 day period.”

wood will follow in the footsteps of england list a player alex hales who spent a short spell on loan at worcestershire from nottinghamshire in 2014.