Chanderpaul commits to Durham

The West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has agreed to stay with Durham, whom he helped claim their inaugural County Championship title this year, for his third stint with the county.

Captain Dale Benkenstein and opening batsman Michael Di Venuto have also extended contracts to remain at the club until 2011, and they are joined by Ben Harmison, Phil Mustard, Graham Onions, Liam Plunkett and Mark Stoneman, all Durham Academy graduates.

Gareth Breese, Mitchell Claydon, Kyle Coetzer, Mark Davies, Gordon Muchall, Will Smith and Callum Thorp will be at the club until at least the end of 2010.

"The players have worked incredibly hard to get the squad to where they are today and are understandably keen to work with us to ensure that Durham's future on the pitch continues to be a bright one," said David Harker, Durham's chief executive. "With both the first and second team bringing Championship trophies back to Riverside we now have to build on and maintain the core of the successful team, continuing to nurture the young talent we have brought through our academy."