NOW Matt Mason has retired, the Australian wants to take a young bowler from the Worcestershire academy through to international honours.

The 37-year-old, who called time on his career over the weekend, can devote his time to helping the New Road bowlers make their way in the game.

Mason believes the County has just the player who can go right through to the top.

“I have a plan in mind,” Mason explained. “I would like to find a young bowler and take him all the way through to first-class and beyond — that would be a big tick in my box.

“I think Richard Jones can do it — he needs a lot of hard work but I can give that now.”

That statement may come as a surprise considering how Jones’ career appears to have stalled.

But if Mason can help the 24-year-old rediscover the form that got him into the England Performance Programme two years ago, then everyone will be happy.

There are a number of young, talented players at New Road and, with the ECB giving financial incentives for counties playing homegrown young players, Mason has a big role to play.

He added: “My job is to make sure the likes of Chris Russell and Jonesy are not out of their depth when they play for Worcestershire and have done all the hard work.”