Scott set for Worcestershire loan stint

Worcestershire will benefit from the experience of Ben Scott for at least the first month of the domestic campaign

Middlesex wicketkeeper Ben Scott will spend the first month of next season on loan at Worcestershire.

The counties have agreed a temporary deal which will see Scott start the 2010 campaign at New Road – with the option of an extension.

Worcestershire lost England wicketkeeper Steven Davies to Surrey at the end of last season, but 17-year-old Ben Cox, his anointed successor, will not be available until June due to school commitments.

The move not only secures Worcestershire a highly-regarded wicketkeeper for the early stages of the domestic campaign, but provides Scott with welcome match practice after a fitful 2009 in which he played rarely after mid-season.

He lost his place towards the end of the summer to 21-year-old John Simpson, but claims he is “extremely excited by this new challenge”.

He said: “I am grateful to Worcestershire for potentially giving me the opportunity to play first XI cricket and my full intention is to show Middlesex that I not only have what it takes to play in their first XI, but also to go on and perform at a higher level.”

Angus Fraser, managing director of cricket at Middlesex, welcomed the move while insisting Scott’s career at Lord’s is not over.

“Ben had a difficult season in 2009, a summer that culminated in Middlesex favouring John Simpson as our first XI wicketkeeper,” Fraser said.

“In my view, John performed well enough last season to merit his selection in the first XI for the start of the 2010 season, which Ben has been made aware of.

"Ben has repeatedly been told that he remains a part of Middlesex's plans moving forward and the club very much want him to be with them during pre-season.”

Scott will officially join Worcestershire on April 3, and his first competitive game looks likely to be their opening LV= County Championship clash against Middlesex at New Road starting six days later.

Fraser added: “The loan agreement allows Middlesex CCC to recall Ben at any point, should John Simpson sustain an injury that prevents him from playing. Middlesex CCC can also recall Ben should John's form no longer merit him a place in the first XI.

“Ben playing for Worcestershire is a win-win situation. There tends to be little second XI cricket played throughout April and May, and the loan deal to Worcestershire gives Ben the opportunity to gain valuable early-season practice and hopefully find the form required to push John for his place.”

Ireland Under-19 international Stuart Poynter will serve as Middlesex’s second XI wicketkeeper while Scott is away, while Australia legend Adam Gilchrist has been signed for the Friends Provident t20 campaign.