Thursday 9 April 2015 14:22, UK
All-rounder Wes Durston has signed a one-year contract extension with Derbyshire and will lead the Falcons in this summer’s NatWest T20 Blast competition.
The 34-year-old, whose new deal commits him to the club until the end of the 2016 season, will take over the Twenty20 captaincy from Wayne Madsen who will still lead the County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup sides.
Durston, who has featured in 97 Twenty20 matches as a professional, is Derbyshire’s highest run-scorer in Twenty20 cricket, hitting 1,460 runs at an average of 28 with a top score of 111.
He is also the club’s third highest wicket taker in the format with 30 wickets.
Since joining the county in 2010, Durston has played regularly in the four-day format, scoring 3,106 runs, including five hundreds, in 60 first-class matches and claiming 62 wickets.
He has also appeared in 49 List A fixtures for Derbyshire, hitting 1,430 runs at an average of 34.87, including three centuries.
Derbyshire’s elite performance director Graeme Welch said: “Wes consistently scores runs and takes wickets in all forms and we hope this continues.
"He is an outstanding limited overs player and knows the game inside out. He is also our most experienced Twenty20 player and has led the side before in the one-day format.
“His experience and knowledge will be key as he leads the side during what is a busy part of the summer as we look to progress in the NatWest T20 Blast.
“The move will allow Wayne, who will remain as club captain, to concentrate on scoring runs for the team, leading the side in the longer formats and help him in his push to claim a place in the England side.”
