Australian off-spinner Rocchiccioli joins Bears for four matches as counties adapt to Kookaburra ball

Warwickshire have secured the services of Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli on a short-term contract for four vital County Championship matches, as the club prepares to navigate the Kookaburra-ball block in the red-ball season.

The 27-year-old spinner will link up with the Bears for games against Somerset and Sussex in June, followed by clashes with Worcestershire and Essex in July. His signing comes amid the County Championship’s ongoing experimentation with the Kookaburra ball, which was introduced in 2023 to mirror conditions faced in overseas Test tours.

Rocchiccioli, who plays domestically for Western Australia, brings valuable experience of bowling with the Kookaburra—used in Australian conditions and known for its reduced seam prominence and limited movement, particularly challenging for bowlers in English conditions. In the most recent Sheffield Shield season, he finished as the third-highest wicket-taker with 38 scalps, including a career-best haul of 7-52 against Queensland.

Speaking about the signing, Warwickshire head coach Ian Westwood said: “We are very excited about welcoming Corey into our squad through June and July. He is a proven performer in Sheffield Shield cricket, and with his experience of the Kookaburra ball, we know he will make an impact for us.”

The move comes as the Bears look to strengthen their spin department following the departure of Danny Briggs, who is set to rejoin Sussex next season. Rocchiccioli’s arrival fills a crucial gap as Warwickshire eye a sustained push in Division One of the County Championship, where they currently sit fourth after seven matches—22 points behind leaders Nottinghamshire.

Known for his attacking mindset and sharp off-spin, Rocchiccioli has represented Australia A and featured in the Big Bash League for both the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades. Across 34 first-class matches, he has claimed 114 wickets, cementing his status as one of Australia’s rising spin talents.

Warwickshire’s move to secure Rocchiccioli mirrors that of Hampshire, who recently signed Indian white-ball batter Tilak Varma on a short-term basis to cover the same four-game Kookaburra window. With the switch in ball type testing domestic sides’ adaptability, counties are increasingly turning to overseas players with relevant experience.

Rocchiccioli’s role will be pivotal in helping the Bears adjust their bowling plans under flatter conditions and against well-set batters. His control and ability to extract bounce from even unresponsive surfaces could prove decisive as Warwickshire look to close the gap on the Championship front-runners.

After completing their Friday night T20 Blast derby against Worcestershire Rapids, the Bears will return to red-ball action on Sunday, 22 June, when they host Somerset at Edgbaston. Rocchiccioli is expected to make his county debut in that fixture, bolstering a spin attack that has struggled to dominate in the absence of consistent support.

The club hopes his short-term presence will have a lasting impact—not just in results, but also in helping younger bowlers understand the nuances of operating with the Kookaburra. Warwickshire have been proactive in planning for this unique stretch, and Rocchiccioli’s arrival underlines their ambition to remain competitive on all fronts.

As the County Championship nears its critical mid-season juncture, the Bears will be hoping their new Aussie recruit brings both wickets and wisdom to a squad determined to remain in the title hunt.