Dearden signs one-year contract extension with Leicestershire

21-year-old Dearden scored 357 runs, including two fifties, in 10 County Championship matches in 2018

Leicestershire have announced that Harry Dearden has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.

The 21-year-old batsman scored 357 runs at 22.31, including two fifties, in 10 County Championship matches in 2018.

Dearden's extension follows the news that Mohammad Abbas and Neil Dexter have both agreed new deals with the county.

Dearden greeted the news, saying: “I’m really pleased to sign for another season with the Foxes, it was a testing time after picking up the injury towards the end of last year, and I’m delighted to be back playing regularly again.

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“I’ve learnt a lot from Nico, Sads [John Sadler] and Tom [Smith], and I’m ready for a lot of hard work over the winter to prepare for the 2019 season.”

Head coach Paul Nixon said: “Harry is a young batsman who goes about his batting in an impressive manner.

“He has demonstrated his versatility in red-ball cricket and also has excellent white-ball skills, as demonstrated through his form as T20 progressed. We look forward to Harry continuing his development with us.”