Worcestershire Academy product Harry Darley has signed his first professional rookie contract for the 2025 season.

The 19-year-old pace bowler made positive strides forward last summer, playing a key part in the Academy’s Under-18 County Championship triumph with 21 wickets in five matches.

He also experienced a significant amount of Seconds cricket in which he confirmed his promise before earning a senior call-up for the T20 match against New Zealand at a packed New Road.

"To get that first contract means a lot," said Darley. "Over the last couple of years it’s been quite quick for me going up the ranks from Shropshire, to getting involved and then enrolled with the Academy at Worcestershire, and playing quite a lot of second team cricket, a big step up.

"The last few weeks training with the lads has been really good and I’ve enjoyed every minute being with Worcestershire, with the Academy and now the first team squad.

"To train regular with the pros and coaches is massive. You are training virtually every day of the week, working on technique and you just know you can get better from training every single day.

"Everything is a lot more intense, which is good, and it helps when it comes to the season with everything.

"Richo and Jonesy are a big help, very supportive, and you can always go to them for advice and ask them about what to work on.

"It is so helpful to pick up information from them and the other lads like Gibbo, Waitey, Leachy. Talking to them is big as well as some of them have got a lot of experience of playing first class cricket.

"Main goal for 2024? “A lot of second team cricket, especially the four day stuff, and even white ball cricket.

"I want to try and push myself as much as I can, perform as well as I can, and give myself a chance to get into that first team."