Mitchell commits to Worcestershire

Worcestershire opening batsman Daryl Mitchell has signed a new three-year contract which will keep him with the county until the end of the 2011 campaign.

Mitchell, a product of the county’s academy, scored 922 first class runs in 2008 - his first full season of senior cricket - to play a leading role in helping the county gain promotion to Division One of the LV County Championship.

The Badsey-born player had one year remaining of his current deal but Worcestershire have rewarded him for successfully filling the void left by Australia's Phil Jacques who opened at New Road during 2006 and 2007.

Daryl Mitchell is one of five Worcestershire players to sign new deals with the county

Mitchell’s opening partner, Stephen Moore, had also put pen to paper on a new three-year contract last month despite attracting interest from 11 counties.

Mitchell said: “I was disappointed not to get to 1,000 runs by the end of the season but averaged over 40 and we won promotion in the championship and stayed in Division One of the Pro40 and now I have got a new contract so it’s not been a bad year.”

He is one of four players to commit their future with Worcestershire.

All-rounder Gareth Andrew, signed from Somerset last winter, has signed a new two-year deal until the end of the 2010 campaign.

Paceman Chris Whelan, recruited from Middlesex at the end of last season, and reserve wicketkeeper Josh Knappett have signed new 12-month contracts.

Worcestershire have also offered a one-year extension to Mehraj Ahmed while fellow paceman Richard Jones has been handed a winter deal to give him the chance to prove he is worthy of a new contract for next season.