Shreck gains new Trent Bridge deal

Charlie Shreck has been rewarded for his productive season with the ball with a new two-year contract at Trent Bridge.

Shreck, who stands at 6ft 7ins, had 55 wickets in 10 matches before the start of the current Championship matches. That haul includes last week's hat-trick against Middlesex at Lord's and he is currently seventh in the first-class averages.

He has battled back from a career-threatening back injury to become a vital member of the Nottinghamshire attack as they fight to avoid relegation one season after winning the Championship. Shreck only began his county career in 2003 after being spotted playing league cricket in his native Cornwall but missed the whole of last season after surgery for a stress fracture.

He is now contracted at Trent Bridge until the end of 2008 and said: "This season has gone far better than I could have hoped, because after my injury I knew I had a job to do to earn my place back in the side.

"Thankfully Mick Newell [the director of cricket] and Stephen Fleming have shown their faith in me and I'm delighted to have been able to justify that.

"I'm really pleased about signing a new deal as there's no other place I'd want to play. The whole package here is fantastic - the fans, the home ground and my team-mates in the dressing room. It's top class and I'm aiming to help the team get back up and challenging for the Championship title again, as I believe that's where we belong."

Shreck was also recently awarded his county cap and Newell added: "Charlie has been making up for lost time this summer and the fact that he's come back so well from his injury is a great credit to him.

"He overcame a lot of frustration missing out on playing last year and has returned as a better bowler. He's been a consistent performer and I'm sure that he can go on to better things in years to come."