WORCESTERSHIRE off-spinner Gareth Batty admits to feeling 'over the moon' at being named in the England squad to tour South Africa this winner.

His selection follows another successful campaign for the County in which he has impressed with both bat and ball.

The all-rounder has collected 45 first-class wickets so far this season and earlier this month scored his maiden first-class century, 133, in the Frizzell County Championship Division One match against Surrey at The Oval.

The 26-year-old, who was with triumphant England in the West Indies last winter, said: "Obviously, I'm extremely pleased and over the moon. It means my efforts this season with bat and ball have been rewarded in another go at the big time. You just hope and keep your fingers crossed that things go as well as you would have thought," said Batty.

"It's what we play the game for to be involved with England and big games. Obviously we have a big game at Lord's on Saturday and the England stuff is absolutely brilliant."

Batty's season looks set to be further enhanced by Worcestershire winning promotion from the totesport League Division Two.

Even though the County's match with Nottinghamshire was washed out at Trent Bridge yesterday, the two points gained by Tom Moody's men means it is almost certain they will playing in Division One next season.

Fourth-placed Sussex can still finish on the same number of points as Worcestershire, if they win their last two games, but the County, with one match left to play, have a far superior run rate.

Meanwhile, Steven Davies, a member of Worcestershire's Academy, has been named as a part-time student for the ECB Winter Academy. The 18-year-old has been playing regularly as wicketkeeper and batsman for the England Under 19s.