JACK Shantry has been rewarded for his Worcestershire performances with a two-year contract extension at New Road.

The left-arm seamer, who first played for the club in 2009, will now remain with the County until the end of the 2015 season.

Shantry has taken 22 wickets in LV= County Championship Division Two at an average of 21.14 with best figures of 7-69 and struck his maiden first-class half-century against Kent last week.

In the Yorkshire Bank 40, the 25-year-old claimed 12 wickets at 19.75 and 12 at 25.92 in the Friends Life t20.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “I am pleased Jack has secured his future with Worcestershire for a further two years.

“He has forced his way into the four-day team through excellent performances and when you add his one-day bowling, he is an extremely important player to our squad.

“I know Jack is driven to reach higher accolades in the game and I am sure we can give him the opportunities and platform to show what he can do.

“This is another important signing for the club as we look to develop a nucleus of players committed to improving the club’s chances of success across all forms of the game.”

Worcestershire host Kent in the YB40 tomorrow (1.45pm).