Rhodes praises Mason's efforts

Mason took eight wickets in the Championship match at Old Trafford

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes says Matt Mason is reaping the rewards for the effort he has put in to come back from shoulder surgery.

Mason took eight wickets in the recent Championship match at Lancashire and Rhodes says they were well deserved.

"His serious injury was two years ago, and it takes a bit of time to recover from that," Mason said.

"This is particularly so when it is your bowling shoulder but now we are seeing some terrific rewards."

After he missed the whole of the 2008 season, many Worcestershire supporters would have been wondering if they would ever see Matt Mason back in first-class cricket.

His efforts at Old Trafford saw him overtake Chris Whelan to become Worcestershire's leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket this season, with 23 wickets at an average of 30.82.

Mason himself told BBC Hereford and Worcester that there were moments when he doubted that he would ever fully recover, but deep down he was always determined to battle back.

He has very simple philosophies in his bowling and bangs it down in an area, a bit like Stuart Clarke or Glenn McGrath

Steve Rhodes on Matt Mason

"I went for a few runs in my first two overs and that sort of spurred me on," said Mason.

"I said to myself 'I have just got to come back and bowl maidens and build a bit of pressure'.

"I don't think I got a wicket until about my tenth over but after that I was lucky enough to find the edge and get a few lbws," he added.

Injuries to teammates Simon Jones and Kabir Ali mean Mason has probably bowled more overs this season than he might have expected.

Steve Rhodes says Mason's approach to his job is refreshingly straightforward and he is now reaping the benefits of all those hours spent in rehabilitation.

"He has very simple philosophies in his bowling and bangs it down in an area, a bit like Stuart Clarke or Glenn McGrath," he said.

"It's very simple but it works very well and I am particularly pleased all his hard work had paid off."