Bevan extends stay with Tasmania

Michael Bevan has ended months of uncertainty over his cricketing future by agreeing to play another season for Tasmania. David Johnston, the Tasmanian Cricket Association chief executive, said a verbal agreement had been reached and the paperwork was being completed.

However, Bevan's role as Tasmania's assistant coach has been reduced to three days a week. "[It will] give him more time to concentrate on his cricket and more time to spend with his family - two very important things both for Tasmanian cricket and Michael Bevan," Tim Coyle, Tasmania's coach, told ABC Sport. "I'd say [it is] just a slightly reduced role, that's all it is, but he'll still work with our batters."

Bevan appeared in 18 Tests and 232 ODIs for Australia and his time with the side finished when he was not offered a national contract at the end of the 2003-04 season. A long-term New South Wales player, he signed a two-year deal with Tasmania before the 2004-05 season and immediately made his mark with a domestic-record haul of 1464 Pura Cup runs.