Helm bids to repay Fraser’s patience

TOM Helm will remain a Middlesex player until at least the end of the 2019 season having extended his contract with the club.

Helm, 22, made his Middlesex first-class debut in 2013, but injuries have restricted him to seven further first-class outings.

The paceman has been included in the England Lions squad to tour Sri Lanka next month having played a handful of limited-overs matches in 2016. And Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser is looking forward to working with Helm.

Fraser said: “Tom has had no luck with injuries, but he remains one of the most exciting young cricketers in the country. This is why we will continue to support him.

“In the limited cricket he has played we’ve seen just what he can produce and, obviously, the Lions also witnessed it during the training camp in UAE Tom was at before Christmas, hence his selection for Sri Lanka.

“All Tom needs is an injury-free period. When he gets this his career will move forward very quickly. We all hope that period is 2017 – he deserves it to be.”

The handful of games in 2017 came after Helm missed all the 2015 campaign due to a stress fracture in his back, while his 2016 season ended in June when he tore ankle ligaments during a One-Day Cup match.

Helm said: “I’d like to thank Angus and the rest of the Middlesex management for continuing to show faith in me and for supporting me through what has been a difficult and frustrating couple of years spent largely on the sidelines.

“I’m feeling fit and strong now and am excited about the prospect of a winter ahead with the England Lions before returning to Middlesex in pre-season when I can set about repaying the belief they’ve shown in me.”