Australian international Ben Dwarshuis will return to Visit Worcestershire New Road for the duration of the 2026 Vitality T20 Blast, the club has confirmed today.
A standout performer during last summer’s group stages and a firm fan favourite, Dwarshuis will be back for a third stint with the Worcestershire Rapids, having added quality across all departments during his previous spells in 2021 and 2025.
Across his 13 appearances for the Rapids last season, Dwarshuis claimed 18 wickets, including tournament-best figures of 3-30 against local rivals, Bears, finishing as Worcestershire’s leading wicket-taker in the Vitality T20 Blast.
The fast bowler formed a formidable new-ball partnership with fellow overseas star Jacob Duffy, while also demonstrating his ability as a destructive lower-order batter with several powerful late cameos.
Having seen his most recent spell cut short due to a recall to the Australian national squad, the 31-year-old expressed his excitement about returning for the full duration of next year’s tournament.
“It’s so exciting to be coming back to Worcestershire again. Last year was a really enjoyable couple of months with the lads, so to have that opportunity again was too good to miss.
“Across both of my previous spells, I’ve loved playing with the boys and in front of our home crowd. It feels like a bit of a second home now and I can’t wait to get stuck in with everyone.”
Despite mounting an impressive late charge for the knockout stages of the T20 Blast last summer, the Rapids narrowly missed out on qualification for the quarter-finals, but Dwarshuis is already looking to right those wrongs ahead of next season.
“We put together some really impressive performances towards the back end of last year, and the boys were really unlucky not to quite get over the line.
“The squad looks strong and really well balanced, so I’m thrilled to be locked in for the whole tournament and hopefully help us go a few steps further this time.”
Worcestershire CEO, Ashley Giles, said the re-signing of the experienced bowler was a sign of the club’s ambitions moving forward.
“We always harbour ambitions to improve the playing squad wherever we can, and in signing Ben for another season, we have certainly ticked that box.
“There is no doubt he is a genuine match winner on his day, so to be able to secure a player of his calibre only adds to the excitement and expectation ahead of next year’s T20 Blast.”
With Pakistan spinner Usama Mir already confirmed to rejoin the club on a long-term T20 deal, Head Coach Alan Richardson emphasised the importance of adding Dwarshuis’ international experience to the Rapids’ squad ahead of next season.
“Ben is an absolute professional and someone we, as a coaching staff, were very keen to bring back when the opportunity arose.
“The impact he had both on and off the pitch last year was invaluable. The way he integrated into the group and helped nurture some of the younger players was a priceless asset.
“His wealth of experience, having played multi-format cricket for Australia and in a range of T20 competitions around the world, will only enhance our bowling options and hopefully give us that extra edge.”
