Sillence signs two-year contract with Worcestershire

Worcestershire have announced the signing of Roger Sillence, on a two-year contract. Sillence, 28, played for Gloucestershire Second XI in 2005, and made one appearance for the first team in August.

Sillence - a useful seamer and a hard-hitting batsman - is spending the winter in Melbourne, playing grade cricket, and will join Worcestershire's squad for pre-season training in March.

Steve Rhodes, who yesterday was appointed Worcestershire's director of cricket, said: "Roger is just the type of player we are looking for and his all round talents will give our squad real depth. Being so versatile, he can give us options in all formats of the game. He brings great energy to the squad and we are thrilled to welcome him to New Road."

Sillence, in a statement released on Wednesday, said: "I am very much looking forward to the new opportunity and responsibility given to me at Worcestershire. With such quality of domestic and overseas players, I feel my game can only go from strength to strength on and off the field and I look forward to playing a major role in the drive for promotion in 2006."