WARRINGTON’S rising cricket star Rob Jones has been rewarded for his superb end-of-season form with his first professional contract with Lancashire.

The 20-year-old batsman from Stockton Heath, a former pupil at Bridgewater High School, pens a new deal with the Red Rose county after impressing in the four first-class games he played at the back end of the 2016 season.

Jones, a former Minor Counties player for Cheshire who has been capped by England at under 19 level, hit his maiden first-class century in a game against eventual county champions Middlesex at Old Trafford to announce his arrival on the county scene.

Having spent most of the season playing for Cheshire County League outfit Toft, Jones is now looking forward to a winter playing for South Perth Cricket Club in Australia.

“It’s a dream come true for me to play for Lancashire and I couldn’t be happier to sign my first professional contract,” he said.

“It’s been a special summer making my Lancashire debut and then hitting my maiden First Class century.

“I’m looking forward to getting out to Perth to play grade cricket for the winter, working hard and to come back and contribute even more to this side in 2017.”

Jones also formed part of a successful Lancashire Second XI side that lost only two games last season and delivered the Second XI trophy to Old Trafford.

In his appearances for Toft this season, he has amassed 767 runs at an impressive average of 95.88 before getting his chance with Lancashire.

Ashley Giles, Lancashire’s head coach and director of cricket, said Jones and fellow contract recipient Danny Lamb deserved their rewards.

“Both Rob and Danny have worked incredibly hard in the past year and we’re excited to see how they’ve both progressed,” he said.

“It’s great to see two more Academy players come through the system and earn professional contracts.”