Dawson agrees new contract with Yorkshire

The offspinner, Richard Dawson, has signed a new contract with Yorkshire for the 2006 season. Dawson helped Yorkshire gain promotion to Division One of the championship this season, taking 27 wickets and scoring 430 runs at an average of more than 30.

"There was interest from a few counties towards the end of the season," he told the website of his management company, Stellar Group. "I had a good chat with David Byas and discussed the county's plans for next season, and he convinced me that it was in my best interests to carry on.

"I know Yorkshire are very ambitious and playing in the first division of the county championship next season is something to really look forward to. Hopefully we can carry on the momentum we built up last season and also improve on our one-day performances as well."

Dawson, with seven Test caps to his name, last played for England against Australia in January 2003.