Worcestershire CCC have signed Australian Matthew Wade for the 2022 campaign.

 The wicket-keeper-batsman has made more than 170 international appearances across all three formats.

Wade has played 36 tests, hitting four centuries, two of these coming in the drawn 2019 Ashes Series.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to joining up with what’s an exciting group of players at Worcestershire for next season.

“I have always wanted to experience the challenge of a full season of County Cricket, and I jumped at the opportunity to join Worcestershire as soon as it came about.

“New Road is one of the world’s most recognisable cricket grounds, and I loved playing there as part of the Ashes tour in 2019.

“I can’t wait to get going.”

Wade captained Australia for the first time, in a T20I versus India last December at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), and skippered Victoria to two Sheffield Shield titles.

He has scored 8,492 first-class runs at an average of 40.82, in addition to 4,675 List A at 32.69 and 2901 T20 at 27.11.

Cricket Steering Group Chairman Paul Pridgeon believes the addition of Wade is “a signal of intent” from the club.

He feels the 33-year-old can significantly contribute in all formats and added that he is hopeful Wade's winning mentality will rub off on the younger players at Worcestershire. 

Pridgeon confirmed: “We have signed him as a batter. He is a real hard-nosed batter in red-ball cricket and a dangerous striker in white-ball cricket.

“We think he will add a lot to our group and will be particularly helpful for the young players.

“He is a real winner, he knows how to win, and we feel that will rub off on some of the young lads and be good for their development.

“It is almost like an old-fashioned overseas signing in the sense that he is going to come and play all formats for the entire season, something that does not happen very often now.

Pridgeon added: “We have been conscious that we needed something at the top of the order to spark us.

“He gives us a lot in all three competitions, and it is a sign of our intent to try and to continue to improve.

“It is great to get it done and dusted so early for next season.”