Ricardo Vasconcelos signs three-year extension with Northamptonshire

Vasconcelos, who captains Northamptonshire in red-ball cricket, has scored nearly 4000 runs in 89 appearances for the club

Ricardo Vasconcelos has signed a three-year contract extension with Northamptonshire which will keep him at Wantage Road until at least 2025.

The 24-year-old, who captains the club in red-ball cricket, has scored nearly 4000 runs in 89 appearances since arriving in 2018.

Predominantly a red-ball player, he has scored 2,806 runs at 35.97 in 48 appearances, 326 of which have come this season.

Commenting on his new contract, Vasconcelos said: "I’m very excited to commit to Northamptonshire.

"It’s been a bit of a cloud hanging over my head for about a year now, all the chat about me possibly moving on. So much so that it’s probably affected my performances a bit so, I’m glad I can now put that behind me and focus on leading the team and scoring runs.

^{Vasconcelos celebrating a century against Warwickshire earlier this season [David Rogers/Getty Images]}

"I think everyone can see the direction we’re going in as a team and I’m very excited to see what the next few years have in store for us."

Head coach John Sadler is keen to see Vasconcelos become a three-format player, stating: "It’s fantastic for the club that Ricardo has committed to us for the next three seasons.

"He’s a very fine cricketer who plays all formats and who’s ceiling is extremely high. He can now focus purely on his cricket and I’m sure we’ll get to see the absolute best of Vasco in all formats.

"He’s good enough and has ambitions to play international cricket for England and we want to help him get there."

Board member Nigel Felton added: "We’re delighted Ricardo has decided to commit to Northamptonshire. We think this sends a strong signal to our players and supporters and reinforces our intent to continue to compete as a club."

He is the third player to commit his future to the club in recent weeks, with bowler Jack White and returning allrounder David Willey both signing lengthy contracts.