Warwickshire confirm Jones deal

Warwickshire have stepped up their efforts to strengthen their fast-bowling resources by signing Richard Jones from Worcestershire on a one-year contract.

Jones joined Warwickshire on loan in August last season, but suffered the misfortune of getting injured in his first net session at Edgbaston.

He made his debut for Worcestershire in 2007 and has gone on to make 41 first-class, nine List A and six T20 appearances for his home county. He has strong West Midlands connections: born in Stourbridge, he has also played for Old Hill in the Birmingham League.

Dougie Brown, Warwickshire's coach, has seen enough to believe that his bowling coach Graeme Welch can draw from Jones the same sort of improvement he has gained from the likes of Chris Wright, who was transformed after his move from Essex. The signing of Oliver Hannon-Dalby from Yorkshire before the start of last season proved less successful.

Brown said: "Richard is an exciting prospect and is a very good addition to our squad. His arrival will create even more competition for places amongst a very strong bowling line-up. He settled in to the squad very well when he joined on trial in August, and Graeme Welch and I are looking forward to working with him ahead of the new season."