Jake Libby signs Worcestershire contract extension

The 28-year-old batter is the second-highest run-scorer in the 2021 LV= Insurance County Championship, scoring 798 runs

Jake Libby has signed a contract extension with Worcestershire which will see him remain at New Road until at least the end of the 2024 season.

The 28-year-old batsman arrived at Worcestershire from Nottinghamshire at the end of the 2019 season and was the leading run-scorer in the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy group stages, scoring 498 runs. This season, only Durham’s David Bedingham has surpassed his tally of 798 red-ball runs in the LV= Insurance County Championship.

He has been equally prolific for the county in white-ball cricket, scoring 239 runs in this season’s Royal London One-Day Cup and 315 runs in the T20 Blast, topping Worcestershire’s batting averages in the latter for the second season in a row.

Commenting on his contract extension, Libby said: "I’ve felt a lot more settled here. I’ve obviously done well, which has helped, but I feel it was my spot to lose here in terms of, if I play good cricket, I will play.

"I certainly feel like I’m more of a senior player, and I’ve enjoyed playing under Joe Leach. I think he leads the team well, and the combination of him and Alex [Gidman] has worked well. Alex, for me, has been really big. I think he keeps things simple and has helped my game a lot."

Libby added that his improvements with the bat while at Worcestershire have reenergised his desire to play international cricket, continuing: "I’m 28 now. Two or three years ago, I wouldn’t even be thinking of international cricket. I’ve come a long way as a player over the last two to three years, and I think I’ve reaped the benefits of being at Worcestershire, and I feel a better player now.

"I do have international ambitions, and I think I can achieve them at Worcestershire. I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself re international cricket and will keep on doing what I am for Worcestershire, and I think that side of things takes care of itself."

Head coach, Alex Gidman, added: "Jake has made a significant contribution to the team since he joined us a couple of years ago and has become an integral part of the group. Delighted that he wants to continue with us. It is great for us as a club and as a group.

"He has got some great qualities, some outstanding characteristics, on and off the pitch. He adds a lot to our group, so it is a natural progression for him to take up a leadership role [as vice-captain].

"Jake decided to make a move. He showed some good qualities while at Nottinghamshire but didn’t always get the opportunities he perhaps felt he needed. For us, he is getting more opportunities and has shown the quality to back that up and has played extremely well for us."