IN his own simple words, playing for Worcestershire in the company of Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki is a "dream come true" for Daryl Mitchell.

Born and raised in Evesham, representing the County was top of Mitchell's ambitions when growing up and watching his idols.

"It's something I've always wanted to do, to play for the first-team," he admits. "It's a dream come true.

"When I was younger, I would watch Bumpy and Hicky at New Road. Now, it's unbelievable to be out there playing with them. I let them know that I used to watch them. Hicky has been brilliant to have around, he's different class."

Mitchell is currently riding the crest of a wave. Last week, the 21-year-old all-rounder became the second Worcestershire academy graduate to earn professional terms at the club, following that of teenager Steve Davies.

County officials obliged to secure the future of another home-grown product following his impressive performances in the Second XI and subsequent introduction to the senior side.

Since making his first-class debut against Loughborough UCCE in May, Mitchell has shown enough evidence to warrant Steve Rhodes' belief that he could emerge as the long-term replacement to David Leatherdale.

His major break-through came at Grace Road last month, on his full Championship debut, when he chiselled an unbeaten 63 during a five-hour vigil at the crease.

Mitchell said: "That was definitely the highlight of my career to date, to get my first first-class 50.

"It was really hard, because the wicket at Leicestershire was not easy and they were bowling really well, putting us under a lot of pressure.

"I just thought about sticking in there and playing to my strengths. I had to play patiently and just wait for the bad ball to come my way."

In today's game, where the popularity of Twenty20 soars and youngsters worship big-hitters, it is refreshing to come across a rising cricketer who prizes his wicket more than the glory of firing boundary after boundary.

Whereas spectators purr over headline-making smashers such as Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen, Mitchell looks to a different kind of role model.

"I'm more of a sort of Michael Atherton," said Mitchell. "He was somebody I always admired and my sort of player. He treasured his own wicket and I'm like that. I prefer nurdling the ball around, looking for gaps and occupying the crease.

"It's all about application and learning not to give your wicket away. Of course, hundreds are what gets batsmen noticed and it's no good getting in your 40's, 50's or 60's if you don't look forward to the big milestone. But I will always make the bowlers work hard to get me out.

"Obviously, I've learned a lot from the players here, people like Hick and Ben Smith. But I would like to think I've got my own style.

"I also enjoy bowling. It's another string to my bow and I'm getting my opportunity in the one-dayers. I've been playing in the Twenty20 and I bowled pretty well in the first two games."

Mitchell, who has been at Worcestershire from under 11s level and whose father, Keith, runs the under 13s side, is now targeting a successful second-half to the 2005 season.

He added: "I hope to play as much first-team cricket as possible. I've started well, it's been a good introduction to the first-team. It's where I want to play my cricket."