Warwickshire sign Chris Benjamin on rookie contract

His signing comes after impressing for the county's second team, the highlight being a 66-ball 149 in a T20 against Glamorgan

Warwickshire have signed wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Benjamin on a rookie contract until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old was born in Johannesburg and played two first-class games for Durham MCCU, where he attended university. His signing comes after impressing for Warwickshire’s second team, the highlight being a 66-ball 149 in a T20 against Glamorgan – the highest score in the history of the county’s second string.

He subsequently captained his side to victory in the Second XI Twenty20 Trophy, with Finals Day taking place at Arundel in late June.

“He has fitted in really well and fully deserves his rookie contract,” said Ian Westwood, the former batsman and Warwickshire’s second team coach. “He will be with us for the rest of the year so has a chance to push for a longer-term deal.

“Chris is a hard-hitting, right-handed batsman capable of providing real power at the top of the order. He captained the Second XI to the T20 Trophy last week and, with Vikai Kelley injured, kept wicket in the last few games of the competition. We will be working hard with him on his keeping in the months ahead.”

Benjamin added: “It is a special moment to be awarded a rookie contract by Warwickshire and this is a very exciting opportunity for me.

“I am really enjoying being part of the incredible environment at Edgbaston. The players and coaching staff have been very welcoming and now I just want to keep scoring runs and contributing as much as I can.

“Hopefully this is just the start. It would be a dream come true to build a long career at Warwickshire.”

First team wicketkeeper Michael Burgess signed a two-year contract extension at Edgbaston earlier this week.