Warwickshire seamer Manraj Johal signs first professional contract

Johal has agreed a deal that will run until the end of the 2023 campaign

Warwickshire seamer Manraj Johal has signed his first professional contract.

The 20-year-old has been with the county since playing at under-11 level and made his first-class debut in last year's Bob Willis Trophy.

He claimed four wickets at Lord's in the win over Lancashire, having turned out in the Royal London Cup earlier that summer.

"I'm very much aware that there's a huge amount of hard work required to succeed at this level," said Johal. "It's a very exciting time to be a Bear and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead and pushing for a place in the first team."

^{Johal made his Warwickshire debut in the Royal London Cup (Tony Marshall/Getty Images)}

He has agreed a deal that will run until the end of the 2023 campaign, having at one stage lost his place on the club's emerging players programme as a youngster.

"Like many bowlers within our attack, Manny made a huge amount of progress last year," added Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire's director of cricket. "He's relished the opportunity of joining the professional ranks and has given a very good account of himself whenever he has stepped up to the senior team.

"He worked incredibly hard to win his rookie contract 18 months ago by getting stronger and fitter and he's now developing his skillset and has gained a few yards of extra pace."