Middlesex quartet agree new contracts

Martin Andersson, Joe Cracknell, Max Holden and Thilan Walallawita all played significant roles for the county in the truncated 2020 campaign and have signed extended deals of varying lengths

Martin Andersson, Joe Cracknell, Max Holden and Thilan Walallawita have all signed new contracts with Middlesex.

The quartet all played significant roles for the county in the truncated 2020 campaign and have agreed extended deals of varying lengths.

Allrounder Andersson was among the club’s standout players in the Bob Willis Trophy; he scored 227 runs and took 14 wickets, having recovered from a back injury that meant he played only as a batsman in 2019. His extension will see him remain at the club until at least the end of the 2023 season.

Cracknell, a 20-year-old batsman, made his T20 Blast debut against Surrey at Lord’s in September. With his second scoring shot, he swatted a delivery from Jamie Overton into the scorer’s box, causing a dent just beneath the Father Time weathervane. He impressed thereafter, hitting a 21-ball half century against Kent in only his second match. His contract has been extended until the end of the 2022 season, combining his cricket with his studies at Durham University.

Holden is the most established of the group, having made 53 appearances for the club, as well as having enjoyed a loan spell at Northamptonshire earlier in his career. He, too, has extended until the end of 2023.

Walallawita has signed a full contract until at least the end of the 2023 season, having made both his first-class and T20 debuts this summer.

However, batsman Dan Lincoln has left the club after his contract was not renewed. Initially stepping into the county’s T20 side in 2019, he made six appearances in 2020.

“It was a tough decision to make regarding Dan’s future with Middlesex,” said Middlesex head coach Stuart Law. “He showed great professionalism in his time with us and his contribution will be remembered not only on the field but off it as well.

“A great bloke to have around the group and we only wish him well in his chosen future. He will always be a Middlesex player.”

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