ED Barnard would jump at the chance to play international cricket again but remains happy to play the waiting game.

Worcestershire's former-England under-19 all-rounder had a 2017 season to remember with bat and ball and was voted the Supporters’ Association player of the year with 50 per cent of the vote.

Joe Clarke and Josh Tongue have tasted England Lions selection this winter and with Barnard keen to follow in their footsteps.

But his focus is concentrating on continuing to produce the goods at Blackfinch New Road – including attempting to add a couple of yards of pace to his bowling this winter.

"I’ve not really thought it about," said Barnard. "I’d like to do it and if the chance came along would take it with both hands.

“At the minute, I am focused on how I am going to do for Worcestershire this season and if that leads to further things, then that’s great.

“I’m really focused on doing well for Worcestershire, keeping us in Division One and then who knows? I'll take it as it comes.

“I’m not putting any timescales on anything. That would put pressure on that is not needed really."

Barnard and his team-mates are now back working in the nets at Malvern College after the pre-Christmas focus on strengthening and conditioning work.

He said: “It is now these couple of months about the more technical stuff in the cricket.

“The past couple of months have been about putting those foundations in place so when I do the technical stuff, I’ve then got the core strength there to be able to use it.

“The gym work is going to help, getting a bit stronger and bigger but there are also a couple of aspects of bowling we can work on and tweak a little bit just to gain those extra yards I’m hoping for.”