WORCESTERSHIRE 2024 overseas signing, Nathan Smith, won New Zealand’s men’s Domestic Player of the Year award after a memorable summer with the Wellington Firebirds.

Smith’s superb campaign was recognised at the ANZ New Zealand Cricket awards ceremony in Christchurch.

He has led the Firebirds bowling unit across all three formats and, at the time of judging, had claimed a total of 52 wickets, more than any other player on the men’s domestic circuit.

Smith, who is available to play all formats for Worcestershire this summer, has produced many excellent performances.

He led the Firebirds to a memorable Super Smash win over the Otago Volts in Alexandra, with career-best T20 figures of 4-5.

In addition, Smith is the second highest wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield with 28 scalps from just nine innings at an average of 15.92 in the four-day competition.

His tally includes two five wicket hauls and a career best last week of 6-36 against Canterbury in Rangiora.

Smith is due to fly into England in time for Worcestershire’s opening County Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston beginning on April 5.

Pears' head coach recently spoke about his excitement at Smith's arrival and he will no doubt be even more pleased following his award winning campaign.

"In my conversations with Nathan, he comes across as a very ambitious and driven player," added Richardson.

"No doubt he will have an eye on trying to get some international recognition and I hope he sees Worcestershire as an opportunity to continue his journey and his development as a cricketer.

"We know he is a player with some high skill levels but we are getting some good reports back that he is a very strong character off the field as well and will only add to our changing room.

"It’s a brilliant experience for us to have someone like Nathan, and I’m sure the players will feed off him, but hopefully for Nathan it will be an amazing experience for him as well."