Batsman Josh Dell signs new Worcestershire contract

Fell was in contention to feature in September's County Championship fixtures, with Worcestershire playing in Division Three, but a broken thumb has prevented that opportunity

Worcestershire batsman Josh Dell has signed a contract extension with the county.

Dell, who turns 24 this month, will remain at New Road until at least the end of the 2022 campaign as he looks to break into a batting line-up that is set to lose Daryl Mitchell, who is retiring at the end of the season, and Ross Whiteley, whose impending departure has already been announced.

He made his County Championship debut in 2019 but has not made a first-class appearance since. He was in contention to feature in September, with Worcestershire playing in Division Three, but a broken thumb has prevented that opportunity.

Dell said: “I’m glad I’ve put some performances together to warrant an extension, which is great, and I look forward to cracking on. If you don’t get picked early season, all you can do is go away and score runs, and I feel I did that this year.

“The frustrating thing is the timing of the injury, but there is nothing you can do about it, just take it on the chin and, if I get to play during the rest of the season, try and make the most of it.”

His first team outings this season, therefore, have amounted to just five appearances in the Royal London Cup, though he has averaged 55.5 in this summer’s Second Eleven Championship.

He signed his first professional contract for Worcestershire in June 2018 and followed that with a new two-year deal in August 2019.