WORCESTERSHIRE'S player of the year Andy Bichel will be back at New Road again next season.

The 31-year-old Australian paceman has signed a further one-year contract after having an outstanding campaign with the County.

He said: "I have enjoyed my first season with Worcestershire immensely and am delighted to be coming back next year. Everybody has made me and my family feel welcome.

"I really believe the team has made progress this year and I very much want to be part of the club's development under Tom Moody."

Director of Cricket Moody said: "Andy's influence in the dressing room is just as important as his contribution on the field."

Bichel, who returns to Australia today in readiness to play for Queensland, has made a clean sweep of the County's end of season awards.

As well as being the Supporters' Association's player of the year he also won the Dick Lygon Award for his contribution on and off the field.

Bichel also won the inaugural Don Kenyon Award for the player judged to have produced the best match-winning performance in a first-class match. His 113 runs and 6-44 were instrumental in the County beating Gloucestershire by 252 runs in May.

Chris Liptrot is the Supporters' Association's uncapped player of the year, while his fellow paceman Kabir Ali was voted the Junior Royals player of the year.