Jones went on England Under-19s' tour to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in 2005

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes says Richard Jones can lead Worcestershire's attack this summer after Simon Jones and Kabir Ali both left the club.

Rhodes told BBC Hereford and Worcester: "He is fully maturing as a human being. He is 23 years of age and has put a bit of beef on now.

"Richard used to be a skinny bean pole but he has got some muscle there and looks in good shape.

"He looks strong and looks as if he can cope with the rigours."

Former England pacemen Jones and Kabir have both left New Road for Hampshire after injury-ravaged 2009 seasons.

Jones did not play a game last summer, while hamstring and back problems restricted Kabir to just four County Championship matches, contributing to Worcestershire being relegated from Division One without winning a game.

He got a good 50 towards the end of the season, we need guys down the order who can get fifties and hundreds Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes

Their absences opened the door for Richard Jones, who picked up a career-best 6-100 against Warwickshire and hit an unbeaten half-century against Durham.

And Rhodes says he can build on those performances.

"Last year he looked good and put in some good performances not just with the ball," added Rhodes.

"He got a good 50 towards the end of the season, we need guys down the order who can get fifties and hundreds.

"He could be quite crucial to our plans now Kabir has left."

Worcestershire begin their first-class season against Middlesex at New Road on Friday, 9 April.

There will be full ball-by-ball commentary on all their games on BBC Hereford and Worcester on 738 AM and online.

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