POPULAR former Pear Matt Mason said the club would always be close to his heart after the Western Australian agreed a move to Leicestershire to become head bowling coach.
The move closes the door on a 17-year spell at New Road, first as a player and latterly as a member of the club’s coaching staff.
The 43-year-old was tasked with looking after the Second XI and a wider development brief in the coaching reshuffle which saw former Pear Alan Richardson replace him as bowling coach.
But experienced former pace ace Mason has decided to end his time at the county and said he would leave with ‘nothing but fantastic memories’.
“I have had 17 fantastic years at Worcestershire and experienced a lot as a player and a coach and will always retain great memories of the club,” he said.
“I have had a great relationship with members, supporters, players, coaches and staff and made some great friends. There are some fantastic things to cherish – as a player two Lord’s finals, winning the Pro40 League, a couple of Dick Lygon Awards at the awards evening.
“Then as a coach, the joy of a few promotions and working with the fast bowlers of which the current young group have fantastic potential. Worcestershire will always be close to my heart, I am going to continue to live in Worcester and I wish the club well but now I am looking forward to the fresh challenge at Leicestershire.”
Mason first linked up with Worcestershire in 2001 after being signed up by then director of cricket Tom Moody and enjoyed a successful time.
Mason picked up 314 first class wickets for the county at an average of 26.91 and the right-armer topped the 50-wicket mark for three successive seasons.
His 31 wickets at 27.38 helped the county to promotion in 2010 before he announced his retirement mid-way through the following season and took over the coaching role full-time.
In almost a decade as bowling coach, Mason helped develop the county’s current crop of young fast bowlers including Josh Tongue, George Scrimshaw Pat Brown, Dillon Pennington and Adam Finch.
“Mase has been a great servant to this cricket club as both a player and then as a coach for the past 16-17 years. He has been a key part of the considerable success enjoyed by Worcestershire during the years,” said new Pears head coach Kevin Sharp.
“Matt has played a very important part in the development of the crop of young bowlers coming through at the club. I wish him every success in whatever path he now chooses to take and thank him once again for his efforts here.”
