ACADEMY player George Scrimshaw has signed his first professional contract for Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Scrimshaw, aged 18, has put pen to paper on a one-year contract which will take effect from October 1.

Burton-born Scrimshaw is the latest member of the academy to join the professional ranks at New Road.

Fellow paceman Josh Tongue and spinner Ben Twohig are in their first season as fully fledged professionals after graduating from the Academy.

Scrimshaw has been part of the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Academy intake and this season has made several promising appearances for the Second Eleven.

Last month he returned figures of 4-20 in the Seconds T20 match against Yorkshire Seconds at Marske CC.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "George has signed his first professional contract. He is six feet, seven inches tall, similar to Josh Tongue in having that ability to make the ball bounce and maximise his height.

"He is a lad we have brought through our academy once again and he is a bright prospect and we welcome him and look forward to working with him in a professional capacity.

"George deserves the chance. He has got very good attributes for bowling fast and it's nice his career path through the Academy is very similar to Josh Tongue."

Scrimshaw, a pupil at the John Taylor High School in Burton, has played for Durstall Cricket Club in the Derbyshire Premier League.