Northants trio sign contract extensions

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Northamptonshire have secured the services of batsmen Kyle Coetzer and Alex Wakely and all-rounder David Willey on contract extensions that will keep them at Wantage Road to the end of the 2014 season.

Scotland international Coetzer joined Northamptonshire on an initial loan deal late last season and made his first Championship century for them against Leicestershire at Grace Road in early May.

Wakely, who was out of contract at the end of the season, made his debut five years ago and has impressed with his mature leadership as stand-in captain for the injured Andrew Hall in one-day and Twenty20 cricket this season. Northamptonshire see Wakely as a potential captain of the future and were keen to retain the services of the 23-year-old.

Willey, the son of former Northamptonshire and England batsman Peter, was born and raised in Northampton and is a product of Northamptonshire’s academy system.

He had a year remaining on his existing contract but Northamptonshire were anxious to secure his services for a further year to head off possible interest from other counties at the start of next season.

“The club continues to finalise its squad line-up for the 2013 season, and securing these three players on new deals is a real boost for everyone at the club,” said Northamptonshire chief executive David Smith.

“I would expect both Alex and David to have some form of involvement in the ECB Emerging Players Programme this winter, while Kyle will continue to benefit from the International experience with Scotland.

“The club is also actively looking to recruit two new players to add to the squad to assist us in being more competitive in white-ball cricket next year."
 


Date: 22/08/2012 18:17:41 by Paul Bolton
In: Today | Northamptonshire |