BOWLING coach Matt Mason is backing Worcestershire paceman Jack Shantry to chalk up 500 first-class wickets in his career.

Shantry went past the 200 mark and took 67 first-class victims in 2015, including 57 in LV= County Championship Division One.

It was the second season in a row the 27-year-old has reached the half-century mark in the competition.

Mason said of the former Shropshire player: “Jack has had seven seasons at Worcester and, when you think of where he started, he probably has to pinch himself a little bit to see just how far he has come.

“He got to 200 wickets and that is probably about the halfway point. I’m sure he will go on and get 400-500 before he is finished.

“He is a class performer. He always finds a way. Just when you think he can’t get that wicket or we can’t get that breakthrough, you give him the ball and he finds a way and that’s been his story for me. He is a total match-winner.”

Mason admits Shantry does not always get the credit he deserves because of his unorthodox, but effective, action.

He said: “That’s one thing I’ve always believed as a coach – sometimes that little bit of difference can give you the edge.

“I never forget having spoken to Marcus Trescothick and Justin Langer a few years back when they both played for Somerset.

“They both said they never wanted to face Shants again because they found him that difficult and awkward.”