NEW vice-captain Gareth Batty is developing a secret weapon to unleash on batsmen this summer.

Worcestershire's premier spinner, who has become Vikram Solanki's number two this season, has been restricted in his shoulder movement since 2003.

He was still able to play virtually all last summer and was then included in the England squad for the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Ironically, lack of action with England enabled former Surrey player Batty to finally get to the root of the shoulder setback.

And the extra flexibility and movement Batty now has means he can improve by that extra two to three per cent and work with confidence on the new delivery.

"I've had a chronic impingement in the shoulder for the best part of 18 months since it flared up with the England Academy," he said.

"I've been able to do things but it has restricted little bits of movement. But, partly because I didn't play much on tour this winter, we really nailed the problem.

"I did a lot of rehabilitation work and basically got a lot of flexibility. It means I can turn my arm over as I want to and it has added a real plus to my bowling. I know I can take the shoulder almost to the limit.

"I can now say 'I am going to try this and I can do it pain free' and know I am not doing any damage to something that could have been a real thorn in the side."

Batty admitted: "The new delivery I am working on was held up a little bit by the shoulder but there are things I am working on again now.

"I am definitely trying to close in on something a bit different and I'm at the last hurdle. It will be a surprise ball to put that doubt in the batter's mind."