By Matt Somerford
Worcestershire’s promotion hero Jack Shantry has been handed a new three-year contract.
The left-armer secured Worcestershire’s promotion with the most dramatic of all-round performances in the penultimate game of the season against Surrey.
With the Pears seemingly headed for defeat Shantry hit his maiden century before completing a 10-wicket match haul to snatch victory and promotion.
Delighted to have signed for another 3 years with @WorcsCCC . Love playing cricket here, going to enjoy it even more in Division One. #COYP
— Jack Shantry (@JackShantry) October 23, 2014
It was the first time in first-class cricket that a number nine, or lower, had achieved the feat and, after he finished the LV= County Championship season with 56 wickets, a new deal has duly been signed.
"I am delighted to commit my future to Worcestershire for the next three years,” he said.
"Since making my debut at 21, I have loved every minute of playing for the club, and last season's promotion was my most successful and enjoyable to date.
"The club is developing on and off the pitch and I want to be an important part of the team as we look to cement ourselves in Division One.
"I feel I can continue to improve in this environment and push for higher honours with the club."
Worcestershire have now tied down 11 players since the start of August – 10 of whom have come through the academy– as director of cricket Steve Rhodes prepares for life back in the top flight.
"In terms of plans and the club going forward, a really important ingredient is to re-sign or make sure our better cricketers are on longer deals and are going to be Worcestershire players because they are going to help us in the journey to being a successful team,” Rhodes said.
"Jack falls into that category and we are delighted he has extended his contract.
"Important ingredients for a bowler are to be fit and to stay consistent and because of the very fact Jack has stayed fit and consistent means you are getting an end result at the end of the season which is a good tally of wickets.
Lovely day in Melbourne spent golfing at with @BenCox10pic.twitter.com/kNc17mbAWy
— Jack Shantry (@JackShantry) October 20, 2014
"One of the things he does is make the most of every ounce of what he has got into making performances and that's a good trait to have.
"If you maximise every single bit of what you've got to do well, if all players did that we'd be in a really healthy state.
"He wants to make sure he contributes for the team with the bat as well as the ball.
"He is an important person in the squad as well because we are a very young squad. Although he is not an elder statesman, Jack is now one of the older and more senior players.
"Next year is Division One cricket which is going to be a step up from this year and we are very optimistic that he can once again have as good a season as he had this year."
Shrewsbury-born Shantry had a year to run on his contract at New Road where, having made his debut in 2009, he has taken 165 first-class wickets and scored over 1,000 runs.