Former England wicket-keeper Paul Nixon has praised the structure of Worcestershire CCC and said "they are doing so many things right."
Nixon said it is "a lazy misconception" to think the county's promotion to Division One of the LV = County Championship was down to the signing of spin wizard Saeed Ajmal.
He hailed the qualities of Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes and skipper Daryl Mitchell and the county's ability to keep producing promising young talent.
Nixon, writing in the Cricket Paper, said: "There will be a big feeling in the game that Worcestershire struck lucky this year because they have won several matches thanks to Saeed Ajmal – a bowler who this week has been banned from bowling by the ICC.
"But that would be a lazy misconception because Worcestershire have done so much right this season. All they did was sign a high class spinner who ran amok earlier in the season.
"But they do things professionally at New Road with Steve Rhodes as director of cricket and Daryl Mitchell at the helm on the pitch.
"They have relied on some exciting young players in the likes of Ben Cox, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Fell, Joe Leach and Charlie Morris.
"Every one of those young lads has played their part in their fantastic season.
"To be up above teams like Surrey and Essex, two huge clubs with big backing, tells you they are doing so many things right.
"Every winter their New Road pitch floods but they continue to churn out promising young players, good cricket wickets and it's always a wonderful place to play and watch the game.
"Steve has been a fine servant to the club on and off the pitch and Daryl is all that is great about the county game.
"He's got every ounce of ability out of himself and is having the season of his career with the bat.
"They've also started to recruit well for next season with Alex Gidman a boost to their middle order, a high class player, who will thrive on taking these youngsters forward."
