Former Proteas Test spinner Simon Harmer put the finishing touches on Worcestershire’s relegation to the County Championship Division Two this week.

Worcestershire slipped to an innings and 129-run defeat at the hands of Essex at Chelmsford.

Harmer, who isn’t available to the Proteas after a signing a Kolpak contract, has been a key figure for Essex throughout a relatively successful 2018 Division One campaign.

Telling second-innings figures of 4-76 in 28.5 tight overs typified his fine form. The burgeoning all-rounder struck a handy half-century in the same match, too.

Earlier this month, a second-innings six-for ensured triumph over Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

The 29-year-old is the joint second-highest wicket-taker in this season’s Division One, with 56 in a dozen appearances. Fellow South African Morne Morkel currently occupies third position with 54 in nine.

Harmer took the most wickets during the 2017-18 Sunfoil Series for Warriors – South Africa’s premier first-class competition.

His 47 wickets in eight matches came at an average of just 21.85.

Dolphins spinner Senuran Muthusamy finished second with 33 in 10 at 26.54. Muthusamy’s figures, indeed, reflected how significantly more prolific Harmer was compared to the rest.