WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club today swooped to sign batsman Ben Smith on a three-year contract from Leicestershire.

The free-scoring 29-year-old said he had decided to move to New Road for a 'new challenge.'

The County's Director of Cricket Tom Moody said: "Apart from being an outstanding county cricketer in his own right, Ben brings a winning mentality to the team.

"His weight of runs will bolster our middle order batting in Championship cricket and his vast experience in one-day cricket will enable us to make further strides in all one-day competitions.

"He is a 'busy' cricketer in the field and I feel sure our members and supporters will quickly warm to his positive attitude.

"I am very excited with this signing and hope to make further announcements soon."

Corby-born Smith said: "I wanted to move counties for a new challenge and after speaking to Tom Moody I felt that Worcestershire could offer me the opportunity I needed to fulfil that challenge.

"To fit into a competitive and ultimately successful team I will want to raise my game to another level for both myself and for my new team-mates.

"I'm looking forward to playing for Worcestershire as much as I did 12 years ago when I started at Grace Road.

"I will always have very fond memories of Leicestershire, but there comes a time when you have to make a decision for yourself, and that time came for me."

Smith made his first-class debut for Leicestershire in 1990 and was capped by them in 1995.

During the 2001 season he was their vice-captain.

Smith has scored 8,606 first-class runs at an average of 37.01, a tally which includes 20 centuries.

Last season he piled up 1,222 runs at an average of 43.64, including five centuries.

While with Leicestershire he won two County Championship medals, in 1996 and 1998.

In one-day cricket Smith has scored 5,270 runs at an average of 28.18, including 31 half-centuries.