WORCESTERSHIRE skipper Joe Leach and head coach Kevin Sharp are delighted with the signing of Wayne Parnell on a long-term deal.

All-rounder Parnell has put pen to paper as a Kolpak player on a three-year contract until the end of the 2021 campaign.

The South African has made a telling impact in the Vitality Blast and County Championship as an overseas addition.

Worcestershire won the T20 finals day on Saturday but then slumped to relegation from the Championship top flight with a heavy defeat at Essex.

Leach is looking forward to working with Parnell, 29, on his return from injury next season, He said: “It is a great signing. It shows how ambitious we are as a club. His performances on the pitch speak for themselves.

“He is an all-rounder who offers quality in all three formats of the game.

“But equally important he has fitted in with the boys so well, is a real humble person and wants us to do so well.

“If you look at his performances and his character, then he ticks every box.”

Sharp said: “It is brilliant news. He has settled in really well and is a fine all-round cricketer but also a fine man.

“I’m delighted we’ve secured his services.

“With Steve Magoffin and Jack Shantry having retired, he will add that experience in the bowling department.

“But he is also good at communicating with and helping our crop of young bowlers on and off the field.”

Meanwhile, Worcestershire CEO Matt Rawnsley will stage his final members' forum of the summer in the Graeme Hick Pavilion at Blackfinch New Road on Monday starting at 9.30am.

He will be joined by new Worcestershire chairman Fanos Hira who has taken over the position from Stephen Taylor after four years in charge.

The pair will answer questions from members ahead of the opening day of the last Championship Division One match of the campaign with Yorkshire (10.30am).

It will be the sixth members' forum of the summer.

Rawnsley has answered questions from members on a wide variety of topics about matters on and off the pitch.