DIRECTOR of cricket Steve Rhodes says the current crop of Worcestershire players will “get better and better” and that there is “a lot of light at the end of the tunnel.”

The County ended the season on a high note with a crushing innings victory over Middlesex at New Road in the LV= County Championship Division One.

Although Worcestershire were relegated, the potential of the young players in the squad — most of whom have signed new long term contracts — is a cause for great optimism.

Rhodes said: “We wanted to play with a lot of pride in the final game and it was something we spoke about before the match and I think over the three days that we’ve played there has been a lot of pride in the performances.

“It would be very easy when you are relegated to drop your standards and, although we are relegat - ed, throughout the year the lads have tried so hard and over these three days they tried just as hard as well.

“There has been a lot of frustrations this campaign but we shouldn’t get too down.

“They are a young crop of players and once again they showed in the Middlesex game that they can play cricket and they are going to get better and better.

“There was a magnificent double- century partnership between the two Toms (Fell and Kohler-Cad - more) — the highest partnership this year for our batters.

“They are only 21 years of age and they are going to get better and better and, thankfully for us, they are going to be with us for a period of time.

“I think members and supporters can see and understand that whilst it has been a tough year and relegation, there is a lot of light at the end of the tunnel with some of these guys.”

Rhodes added: “We’ve won three games in this campaign and we’ve got quite a few more points compared to the last time we got relegated.

“If we had got that many points in that year, we’d still be in the division so it’s been no train-smash at all.

“We’ve won three games and sometimes winning three games with some bonus points will keep you in the division.

“It’s not this time around but certainly the three successes against First Division opposition is encouraging.

“We’ve got a lot of hard work to do next year. Thankfully for us we’ve got a crop of Worcestershire players that will get better."

Rhodes added: “Not all the teams can say that. A few of the teams will have a few of the older boys playing and maybe the improvement is not going to be as much as we can do.”