Hamish Rutherford returns to Worcestershire as overseas player for 2020

Hamish Rutherford, the New Zealand batsman, will return to Worcestershire as their overseas player for the whole of their 2020 campaign.

Rutherford twice filled in as a replacement for Callum Ferguson in 2019, making a pair of 50-over hundreds - against Lancashire and Northants - and another on his Championship debut.

He was flown into Sri Lanka by New Zealand in September for his first international game in four years - though was out first ball as he missed the T20 Blast quarter-finals - but is unlikely to be absent due to international duty much next season.

"I am really excited to be returning to New Road for the 2020 season," Rutherford said.

"I really enjoyed my two stints with the club last season and hopefully I can contribute to some success for the club next year. I look forward to catching up with my team-mates and support staff in April."

Paul Pridgeon, the club's cricket steering group chairman, said that signing Rutherford for the full season would be "really good for continuity".

"He did well for us and we thought trying to sign him for the entire summer was worth persevering with," Pridgeon said. "He is available for all cricket.

"Hamish was very keen to come back, he is enthusiastic and has gelled with the rest of the lads in the dressing room."