Read accepts contract extension at Notts

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE captain Chris Read has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2017 season.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, 37, is showing no signs of slowing down, averaging in excess of 50 in last season’s County Championship while he has already registered two 50s and a hundred in five matches for his county this season.

Devon-born Read has made 658 appearances in all competitions since his debut for the club in 1998 and is widely regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers of his generation, having taken 980 first-class catches.Chris Read - still going strong at Notts

Read started with Paignton, played for Devon as a teenager, and arrived at Notts via a stint at Gloucestershire.

‘For me, these decisions about contracts are all about how I’m feeling fitness-wise and whether I’m performing at a high level,’ Read explained.

‘I still love the game, I love playing for Nottinghamshire and I’m not thinking about retirement. I’m happy with where my game is, I’m focussed on us having a successful season and I’m looking forward to finishing my career at Notts.’

Read, who played 15 Tests and 36 one-day internationals for England, took over the captaincy of Nottinghamshire in 2007 and led them to a sixth championship title three years later.

Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell said: ‘Chris is a very, very important player for us, not least because his wicketkeeping is of the highest quality and he continually gets us out of trouble with the bat.

‘He is also our leader, he is an inspiration to the team and I hope he continues to play for a few more years.’

Read was one that slipped through Somerset’s net in his formative years.

Somerset had a look at Read in a 2nd XI game against England under-19s in 1995.

Lined-up for Somerset in a strong 2nd XI were Andy Caddick, Rob Turner, Richard Harden and Keith Parsons. Devonians Orlando le Fleming and Matt Hunt were also in the team.

The England side contained Marcus Trescothick, David Sales, Chris Scofield and  Anthony McGrath.

Read made one and 22 with the bat, which was the only time he ever appeared for Somerset.

England won the match by 309 runs.