FORMER Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell believes he still has plenty to offer with the bat and is looking forward to opening the batting for years to come.
The long-serving Badsey born opener turns 33 on Friday (November 25) but hopes to emulate his successful second half of 2016 after returning to the ranks.
Mitchell finished as the county’s second highest run-scorer in first class cricket behind Joe Clarke and again passed 1,000 runs for the season.
In his benefit year, Mitchell reached the landmark with two centuries in a match for the third time in the record-breaking win over Northamptonshire when Worcestershire chased down a 401 target.
“I love playing the game. It’s all I’ve known really in my adult life, is playing cricket, and it’s something I really enjoy,” he said.
“I suppose you get to my stage of life and you have to have a slight eye on the future in terms of coaching badges and things like that.
“You need to be prepared for when you are going to finish. But, as far as I am concerned, I want to play as long as I possibly can,” he added.
Despite being removed as captain at the end of the season following six years in charge, Mitchell said his desire to succeed on the field remained strong.
“I am still right up there in all the fitness testing and things like that so there are no problems there,” he said.
“As long as I keep scoring my runs, which I’m sure I will do, I want to keep playing as long as I can.”
Mitchell is confident there are more good years ahead of him and joked: “If you offered me a contract until I was 50 now, I’d sign it!
“I definitely feel as if I’ve got a lot to offer and I’m sure I’m going to score plenty more hundreds across the formats,” he added.
Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes is confident Mitchell can emulate the outstanding performances of two summers ago when only Hampshire’s James Vince scored more runs in Division Two.
“Do I expect Daryl to score a bucketful of runs next year? Definitely.He is such an important batter. He is our experienced batter, the guy who averages nearly 40 opening the batting at Worcester.
“That is testament to his qualities as a player and as a person.
“If he can make sure he is maintaining that sort of career average in the future years for Worcestershire, then that will be a huge bonus.
“He also offers other things as that senior batter. He can help mentor the younger guys through and bring them on,” he added.
