DARYL Mitchell believes the 2018 campaign was one of the most challenging in recent times for batsmen in the County Championship.

Mitchell hit four hundreds and was the fifth highest scorer in Division One with 957 runs at an average of 36.80.

Only Surrey skipper Rory Burns and Somerset’s James Hildreth topped the 1,000 mark in the top flight.

But Mitchell still has that desire to keep on improving after a decade of first-team action and 2019 will be no different.

He said: “Feast or famine comes with the territory particularly in a year like this.

"I was slightly disappointed in that I set my stall out every year to get 1,000 runs.

“I always also want to average over 40.

"It’s a bit disappointing that I didn’t quite get there but at the same time you look around the country and batting has been a struggle this year.

“I was leading run scorer for Worcestershire and you look around the country and some really good players have struggled this year.

“To get into that top five run-scorers and score four hundreds is pleasing and I got another white-ball 100 as well.

“Overall I have to be satisfied but I set my standards high and always want to achieve the most I can do.

“There is still that desire to be wanting to be better and be better next year.”

Mitchell continued: “I’m sure the statisticians will correct me if I’m wrong but I can’t remember seeing so many scores of less than 200 in a Championship season.

“A lot of games were book-ended into the start of the season, five or six, and then another four in September.

“That is a large chunk of your season playing in traditionally bowler-friendly conditions and particularly the start of the season was really difficult.

“I remember out of the first six games I was out nine or 10 times playing a forward defensive shot.

“Looking back, walking off is a bit easier to do when you feel you’ve not actually done anything wrong.

“It has either nipped away and you’ve nicked it or nipped back considerably and hit you on the pad or bowled you.

“You just have to move on and when you get the chance make a big score.”