Warwickshire tie down new captain Will Rhodes to three-year contract extension

The former Yorkshire youngster joined the county at the end of the 2017 campaign and has now replaced long-time overseas player Jeetan Patel as skipper in first-class and List A cricket

• County hub

New Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes has signed a three-year contract extension at the club, taking him through to the end of the 2023 season.

The former Yorkshire youngster joined the county at the end of the 2017 campaign and has now replaced long-time overseas player Jeetan Patel as captain in first-class and List A cricket.

Forming a profitable opening partnership with England batsman Dom Sibley, the left-handed Rhodes scored 770 runs in last year’s County Championship. His stand with Sibley contributed more runs than any other pairing across both four-day divisions.

He also took 15 wickets with his right-arm seamers, including a five-wicket haul against champions Essex at Chelmsford.

Rhodes said: “I’ve absolutely loved my time with Warwickshire since joining in late-2017 and it was a great honour to be asked to captain the club last November.

“I’m thrilled to now put pen to paper and confirm my long-term future as a Bear.

“There are a lot of talented, young cricketers in the squad and we’ve got big ambitions and the potential to develop into a team that can consistently challenge for trophies.”

Paul Farbrace, sport director at Warwickshire, added: “Aged only 24, Will has the opportunity to be our captain for a long period of time, so it is important for all of us at Warwickshire, and for him, that his future is secured.

“We’re thrilled that he has signed and reinforced his commitment to the club, and we look forward to seeing him lead our young team forward in 2020 and beyond.”