O'Brien and Wessels commit to Northants

Niall O'Brien has extended his contract with Northamptonshire by three years, while Riki Wessels has signed a new two-year contract.

"We are pleased by the commitment shown by the wicketkeeping pair who both shone with the bat in 2008," a spokesman for the club said. "Niall, who has just returned from international duty, was in sensational form last season with the bat, scoring over 850 Championship runs and piling on the runs in one day competitions, in a new pinch-hitter role.

"Riki finished the 2008 season with almost 600 Championship runs, and his brilliant form led him to becoming one of the most reliable batsmen in the latter half of the season."