Former Northamptonshire captain Alex Wakely awarded testimonial year after Division One promotion

The 31-year-old has made 364 first-team appearances for the county to date, captaining the Steelbacks to T20 Blast titles in 2013 and 2016

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Alex Wakely's contributions to Northamptonshire have been honoured with the announcement of a testimonial season at Wantage Road.

The allrounder debuted in both red-ball and white-ball outings in July 2007 and has since gone on to appear in 364 first-team fixtures, including two shy of 200 as captain before he stepped away from a leadership role mid-way through the 2019 season.

Under the 31-year-old's tenure, the Steelbacks lifted the T20 Blast trophy on two occasions – the county's first top-tier honours since a NatWest Trophy triumph in 1992 – and he contributed 548 runs during the team's promotion-winning Division Two campaign in 2019.

The testimonial follows Wakely agreeing a new contract with the club that will keep him on the staff until at least the end of 2021, during which time he will look to add to his tally of 6,531 County Championship runs.

"Alex epitomises what testimonial years are designed for; rewarding loyalty," commented club chairman Gavin Warren.

"Alex is statistically our most successful captain winning two T20 titles in 2013 and 2016 and we hope he has an enjoyable year and gets the support he thoroughly deserves."

^{Wakely captained England's youth side before twice leading Northamptonshire to T20 glory}

Wakely, who captained England at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup with a squad including future senior internationals Chris Woakes, Liam Dawson and Steven Finn, will also raise funds for the Professional Cricketer's Trust and Dreamflight, a charity that supports children with serious illnesses or disabilities.

A programme of fundraising events will begin with an evening at Bedford School with Sir Alastair Cook and former England rugby union captain Dylan Hartley, with a James Bond-themed dinner and a golf day featuring members of the Northamptonshire playing squad.

Earl Spencer, patron of the testimonial committee, added: "I am one of very many people in Northamptonshire who is absolutely delighted that Wakers has been given a benefit year by his county.

"He is a team man, a family man, and, frankly, a very fine all-round man indeed. I wish him every success in 2020 – nobody could deserve it more."

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