Sports News Sunraysia with Sammy Smythe

                                                                                       By First Slip

Leek and Stafforrdshire wicket-keeper batsman Alex Mellor, who spent two summers playing cricket in Sunraysia has signed a one year deal with county club Warwickshire.

The 24-year-old has featured for the Bears' second team this season and has impressed enough to be handed a professional contract.

"I have had a fantastic welcome from the coaching team and players since joining the Bears and I'm very excited to be joining such a great club," he said.

"The current season is coming to a close, but I can't wait to get started again in November and hopefully developing my game further.

"I have received great support in reaching this point in my career, in signing my first professional contract, I would like to thank my family for all the support they have given me over the years."

Mellor's stock has risen since he burst on to the Unicorns Championship scene with Staffordshire last summer.

He scored 459 runs in all competitions for Staffs last season, including a maiden hundred when he made 111 against Hertfordshire at Knypersley.

And he had continued to impress this season, making an unbeaten 208 in the victory over Suffolk at Longton in July.

It was only the seventh time in the county's history a player had managed to score a double hundred.

Mellor has also been handed the gloves at minor counties level following the retirement of former skipper Paul Goodwin at end of last  season.

Mellor has also been handed the gloves at minor counties level following the retirement of former skipper Paul Goodwin at the end of last season.

He also claimed a new county record of 11 dismissals in this seasons match against Suffolk.

The left hander has been trialing at several first class counties in recent times but has now been handed his chance with Warwickshire.

He will provide competition for Warwickshire’s former English wicketkeeper/batsman Tim Ambrose.

Warwickshire director of cricket Dougie Brown said that Mellor has impressed with bat and gloves during his time with the second team.

“We hope  he can develop into a top class keeper/batsman by working closely with our coaching team at Edgbaston.

In two seasons of cricket in Sunraysia playing for Coomealla Wentworth Mellor scored 1058 runs with a batting average of 44 runs.