Worcs rule out overseas signing

Rhodes is currently struggling with an injury-hit pace attack

Worcestershire are unable to bring in another overseas player this season as they cannot afford one.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes told BBC Hereford & Worcester they will not be replacing Ashley Noffke, who is heading back to Australia next month.

"The recession has hit us like it's hit every company in the world," he said.

"Looking at our financial position we have to decide if it's worth it, and we have decided that sort of money is difficult to find."

Noffke is returning to his home country to train with Western Australia in the middle of August, and it is the second season in succession Worcestershire have not replaced their overseas star.

West Indian Fidel Edwards pulled out of a deal last season and the club then signed Bradford-based paceman Imran Arif, who did not have a British passport.

Arif now has a residential qualification, but has played little first-team cricket for the club this summer.

With Simon Jones out for the season and Noffke and Kabir Ali both injured, Worcestershire will have to rely on the likes of Arif, Chris Whelan and Gareth Andrew to boost their pace attack.