Shutt eyes chance to improve consistency

JACK SHUTT is looking forward to working alongside fellow offspinner and England international Dom Bess at Headingley next season after agreeing a one- year contract extension until the end of the 2021 season.

The 23- year- old bowler found opportunities limited during the Covid- 19 shortened 2020 campaign, although he was able to make his first- class debut in the Bob Willis Trophy.

Barnsley- born Shutt broke through into the first- team reckoning at Headingley via the T20 Blast in 2019, taking 10 wickets in seven games, including a stunning 5- 11 from four overs to inspire a come- from- behind win over Durham at Emirates Riverside.

Shutt admitted his form during the truncated summer was hit and miss and is keen to improve his game in all formats, believing working alongside Bess - formerly on loan at Yorkshire and who returns to Headingley on a four- year deal next year - will only be beneficial to his own game.

“Even though he’s only young, he’s played quite a lot of cricket now, both at county level and internationally,” said Shutt. “He’s definitely someone I’d hope to be able to learn from.

“Nobody really knows how much he will be away with England, so there could be opportunities in the red- ball stuff when he’s away.

“My performances were a bit up and down this year, but I think I’ll learn from them. Hopefully, next year I’ll get more opportunities and can be a bit more consistent.”