Batting coach-second eleven coach Kevin Sharp believes Worcestershire all-rounder Ed Barnard will reap the benefits of a winter working on his body strength under the supervision of fitness and conditioning coach Ross Dewar.
Barnard broke into the senior side during 2015, predominantly in white ball cricket in which he played every match in the NatWest T20 Blast and Royal London One-Day Cup.
The former England Under-19 player also made a handful of appearances in the LV = County Championship.
But he was still able to make a sizeable amount of appearances for the second eleven in three-four day cricket, averaging 64 with the bat and finishing as leading wicket-taker with 30.
Sharp said: "Ed is a genuine all-rounder. He has developed rapidly within 12 months. He is very intelligent lad. He learns fast.
"He had the experience of a winter in Australia last year (playing for Queanbeyan District). He is staying at home this winter and work with Ross Dewar on his core strength.
"Once he gets another six months under his belt and gets stronger, he will be fine cricketer then.
"He is now but what probably that might do is put a yard of pace on him. "The skills he has with the ball, with an extra yard of pace, that is going to be a handful for anyone.
"Of course, he is a genuine batsman as well. He is a proper all-rounder. He is one of those who will bat number six in a very good side."
