Wessels leaves Trent Bridge for Worcestershire challenge

Worcestershire have completed their second signing in the space of two weeks with Riki Wessels moving from Nottinghamshire.

Wessels, 32, has been released from his contract to take up a three-year deal after Nottinghamshire strengthened their batting resources with the signings of Ben Slater, Joe Clarke and Ben Duckett.

He leaves after seven seasons at Trent Bridge and follows South African-born seamer Wayne Parnell, who also signed a three year deal, in strengthening the county's ranks for next summer.

It is another sign of Worcestershire's intent to assemble a squad capable of making an instant return to Division One of the Specsavers County Championship as well as continue the limited-overs form which saw them win the Vitality Blast for the first time this season.

Australian born Wessels, who obtained British citizenship in 2016, is particularly known as a destructive hitter in the white ball format.

Worcestershire supporters know that only too well: he hit nine sixes in making 55 for Nottinghamshire in the Vitality Blast at Blackfinch New Road this summer.

"Leaving Nottinghamshire was a difficult decision to make," said Wessels. "I've spent eight years at Trent Bridge and enjoyed being part of successful teams that challenged for trophies but now is the right time for me to make a change.

"Worcestershire will provide a new challenge and I'm really looking forward to starting another chapter of my career at a club that I have a lot of admiration for."

Notts' director of cricket Mick Newell said: "Both parties feel that now is the right time for a change and for Riki to move on. We wish him luck for the future."