Saint goes marching in

far. Though affected by injury last season, he still took 25 championship wickets at 25.48 apiece, earning him a contract extension until the end of 2020.

He will start the 2019 campaign just one wicket short of 50 in first-class cricket, his first 49 having arrived at an impressive average of 25.44 runs apiece. “I am happy with how my firstclass stats look, though that has a lot to do with the other guys having bowled so well,” he said.

“That has kept the pressure off me and meant I have just been able to go out there and relax. Hopefully now I can start to help the other bowlers in a similar way.

“It is great for me to have the security of a contract until the end of 2020. I think the appointment of Paul Farbrace as sport director has excited us all and the contract means I have got a little bit of time to try to impress Paul and the guys in the coaching set-up. I’m just really looking forward to getting stuck into the season.” JAMES Ward-Prowse has been called up to the England squad after Fabian Delph, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and John Stones withdrew through injury.

Gareth Southgate’s men kick off Euro 2020 qualification when the Czech Republic visit Wembley on Friday, before they head to Montenegro next Monday.

Ward-Prowse, 24, was Southgate’s captain at under-21 level and has flourished under Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.