ED Barnard has set his sights on challenging for a regular spot in Worcestershire’s LV= County Championship side.

The all-rounder, who turns 20 tomorrow, played in every white-ball game last summer in his breakthrough year.

He played in four Championship matches, making his debut in the format alongside friend Joe Clarke against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl and claiming his first scalp.

But Barnard (pictured) is keen to play more four-day cricket and work on building up his body strength this winter to add a yard of pace to his bowling, rather than returning to Australia.

He said: “I definitely want to become a regular in that format. My main aim will be to establish myself in that side if I can.

“This season we were only playing three seamers for a lot of the time and Joe Leach, Jack Shantry and Charlie Morris were all taking over 50 or close to 50 wickets.

“You have just got to bide your time and be patient. But I was really happy when I did play and that is the aim for next season – to play as much as I can in the Championship because that is what ultimately gets you noticed.”

Barnard, who played for Queanbeyan District last winter, added: “Do I need to improve to become a Championship regular? I want to get physically stronger.

“I’m working with Ross Dewar (strength and conditioning coach) and hopefully that will give me an extra yard of pace and help me take a few more wickets next season.

“That is a big reason why I haven’t gone back abroad to play again.

“We are a week or two into the hard physical sessions, which I am really enjoying.

“All the lads who have done it before say it is fantastic for you and at the end of the six months, you see the improvements and how good a strength and conditioning coach Ross is.

“You’ve got to put in the hard yards to improve. I don’t mind putting the effort in as long as I get the results at the end of it.”

County coach Kevin Sharp said: “Ed is a genuine all-rounder. He has developed rapidly within 12 months. He is a very intelligent lad and learns fast.

“Once he gets another six months under his belt and gets stronger, he will be a fine cricketer.

“The skills he has with the ball, with an extra yard of pace, are going to be a handful for anyone.

“He is a genuine batsman as well, a proper all-rounder. He is one who will bat number six in a very good side.”