Stephen Eskinazi signs new Middlesex deal

Eskinazi initially came onto the scene in red-ball cricket, making his debut at the end of the 2015 season, a year before Middlesex won the County Championship title

Stephen Eskinazi has signed a new contract with Middlesex in a boost for the county following the departure of Nick Gubbins to Hampshire.

The 27-year-old was in the final year of his deal prior to agreeing terms on an extension.

Eskinazi initially came onto the scene in red-ball cricket, making his debut at the end of the 2015 season, a year before Middlesex won the County Championship title.

However, as his four-day form has waned, his stock as a limited-over player has grown exponentially. He was the second-highest run-scorer in last year’s T20 Blast, while a terrific run of recent form currently sees him sitting third in this season’s competition.

A fortnight ago in a two-wicket defeat against Essex, he became just the sixth Middlesex batsman to hit a T20 hundred and only the second player ever to reach three figures at Lord’s in the game’s shortest format.

“Middlesex has been my home since 2013 and the club gave me my first opportunity in the professional game, so I’m absolutely over the moon to repay that faith,” he said.

^{Eskinazi was the second-highest run-scorer in last year's T20 Blast}

“Scoring runs for this club and winning games of cricket is something I’ve loved doing from the start and is something I hope to be able to continue to do.”

Eskinazi’s commitment for the future comes at a crucial time for Middlesex, who lost Gubbins to Hampshire last week.

It was rumoured earlier this season that Eskinazi was seeking a short-term loan away from the county, having begun the campaign as the club’s red-ball captain until the arrival of overseas player Peter Handscomb, at which point he was jettisoned from the County Championship side entirely for a month. He returned for a defeat against Leicestershire, before coming into his own once the T20 Blast began.

Middlesex head coach Stuart Law added: “It’s great news for the club that Steve has signed his contract extension. His white-ball form has been outstanding again this year and I’m looking forward to working with him to continue his improvement in all areas of his game.”