Mason has taken 29 Championship wickets for Worcestershire this season

Worcestershire paceman Matt Mason has signed a one-year contract extension for the 2010 season.

The 35-year-old will continue to combine his playing role with that of the county's bowling coach.

"I spoke to the club and within a second I was shaking hands because I love the place," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"It has been tough this season but I've thrived on that and hopefully proved I have a lot of cricket left in me."

Mason missed the majority of the 2007 and 2008 seasons following shoulder surgery, but he has come back strongly this summer to be the county's leading wicket taker in Division One of the Championship.

Injuries to fellow fast bowlers Simon Jones and Kabir Ali have led to Mason shouldering more responsibility and he feels the fact that he will be 36 next season should not influence any decision over contracts.

"You should be picked on your performances regardless of your age, and after two years of injury to come back and do what I have done this season makes me very proud," he said.

"It had been a tough two years before that and I can only thank the club for sticking with me and giving me this opportunity for next season.

"I have always made it known that this is where I want to play my whole career and I don't want to go anywhere else," he added.

Ther is a group of young bowlers here that I would very much like to work with in the future and play alongside for another year Matt Mason

Mason also admitted that his appointment as bowling coach at the beginning of this season may have been a signal that his playing days were coming to an end, but said he is happy with his dual role.

"The club has indicated that I am a player first and that takes precedence," said the Australian-born seamer.

"In the season it's a bit more difficult when you are playing so much, but I do work with them when I can.

"I have been really impressed with our younger guys. They have all shown some terrific glimpses of what they have to offer.

"There is a group of young bowlers here that I would very much like to work with in the future and play alongside for another year."

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