Simpson Extends Middlesex Deal

29 November 2011

John Simpson in action against Sussex.

©Action Images / Paul Harding Livepic

Middlesex have secured the services of wicket-keeper John Simpson for a further two seasons, meaning that the 23 year-old will remain with the county until at least the end of the 2015 season.

Simpson was the outstanding wicket-keeper in county cricket in 2011 and topped the charts with 68 dismissals, as well as scoring 869 runs at the impressive average of 43.45 in all first-class cricket.

Despite this, his limited overs form was mixed, although he did manage a notable innings against Somerset in the Friends Life t20, and is something that he will want to work on for 2012. However, fortunately for him Middlesex Director of Cricket Angus Fraser has no doubt of his potential, even tipping him for international honours at a later stage in his career.

He said, “Similar performances to those John produced in 2011 would previously have won a player England Lions recognition and he is unlucky that in Craig Kieswetter, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler England currently have several extremely talented wicketkeeper-batsmen. I believe John has the potential to put these cricketers under a lot of pressure over the coming months.”

In other Middlesex news, the club have announced that left-arm spinner Ravi Patel will be available for the whole of the 2012 season after postponing his studies at Loughborough University.

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