Worcestershire batsman Tom Fell has taken part in his first practice session with the county since starting chemotherapy in his battle to beat cancer.
Fell was diagnosed with testicular cancer late last year, and told he needed three cycles of treatment before thinking about restarting his promising career.
The 22-year-old was the only Worcestershire batsman to pass 1,000 runs last summer - he scored 1,084 at an average of 41.69 - and he was due to play in Australia over the winter before learning of his cancer diagnosis.
Fell is not expected to return to first-team action until June, at the earliest, but the first of his treatment cycles is over and he was able to spend time with his team-mates as they were playing Warwickshire in a pre-season match.
"I had a little bat and got involved in the gym and in fielding and it was alright," Fell said on Worcestershire's website.
"It felt pretty well in the nets. If I'm feeling okay, there is no reason why I can't get involved in some more training. Of course, I know I've not got to get too far ahead of myself, I'm aware of that, but I've reacted well to the first cycle.
"I had two days out of 21 in the first three-week cycle when I didn't feel so good which is pretty good. If the second cycle is like the first, there is no reason why I won't be able to get involved in a bit more training.
"I've even spoken about potentially playing in a second team game or two. I've studied a few dates in the diary which I could potentially play in.
"The more I can do now, the quicker I will be able to get back when the treatment is over. If I can keep training and keep relatively fit, it will mean less time before I kind of get first team ready."