Shantry (left) made his Worcestershire debut in 2009

Worcestershire have extended the contracts of bowlers Jack Shantry and Richard Jones.

Seam bowler Shantry, 22, who was the County's leading wicket taker in the FP t20 with 18 scalps, will stay at New Road until the end of the 2013 season.

Fast bowler Jones, 23, has committed to a two-year deal.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes told BBC Hereford and Worcester: "You can see our long term plans - they're young talented players with bright futures."

He continued: "We want to secure our young talent for a few years to come.

"I'm not taking anything away from these guys as they deserve a long-term deal but there's an element of security on our side.

"We're certainly putting our eggs in one basket but on the other side they are showing loyalty to us and we're trying to avoid clubs coming in and hunting them early."

Shantry added: "To bowl with people like Matt Mason and Alan Richardson you can't but help get better.

"I am working with Vickram [Solanki] on a ball that comes back into the right hander. You are never going to scare professional cricketers, so I need to get a bit of movement both ways.

"At the start of the season I was scratching my head about how I was going to get into the team, as there were five ahead of me.

"But good luck for me, and bad luck for them, a few injuries and I have got in the side."

Jones, who made his Worcestershire debut in 2007, achieved his career bests this season, reaching 6-37 against Middlesex followed by 7-115 against Sussex.

He is the team's second highest wicket taker in first class cricket with 38 wickets at 33.71, with Shantry just behind on 25.

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