Keith Barker signs two-year contract extension with Hampshire

Keith Barker has signed a contract extension with Hampshire, keeping him at club until the end of the 2023 season.

Barker, 34, has become a key member of Hampshire's four-day side since joining from Warwickshire at the end of the 2018 season, and last summer he picked up 41 wickets in the LV= Insurance County Championship at an average of 18.41.

During the Divisional stage of the competition, when Hampshire fell agonisingly short of claiming their first Championship title since 1973, he claimed 21 wickets in four matches including a career-best 7 for 46 against Nottinghamshire.

He showcased his class with the bat during a knock of 84 to help Hampshire to a seven-wicket victory against Middlesex at Lord's in May.

"I felt I did pretty well last year and to be able to go again for another two years, I couldn't ask for anymore really," Barker said. "I really want us to get that red-ball trophy and push as hard as we can for that - we're taking the right strides this winter and hopefully we can get over the line next year."

Barker was named Hampshire's Red Ball Bowler of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards, where he was also selected by his peers as Players' Player of the Year.

Giles White, Hampshire's Director of Cricket, said: "Keith has been one of the leading all-rounders in the longest form of the game for years. It's not just the runs and the wickets that make him such a valuable member of our squad. He also plays an important role off the field and has become a well-respected leader within the group."

Barker took 38 County Championship wickets at an average of 26.34 in his first season at The Ageas Bowl in 2019. Having played in all but one game that summer due to illness, he also contributed with the bat, adding 357 runs at an average of 25.50.

The COVID-19 pandemic combined with a minor injury limited Barker to just two appearances in 2020, when he added seven wickets at 28.71.

Meanwhile, Middlesex allrounder Martin Andersson has signed a new deal to the end of 2024, extending a long-held association with the club, dating back to when he was 13 years old.

Now 25, Andersson made his first-class and T20 debuts for Middlesex towards the end of the 2018 season before an injury-hit 2019 season limited him to just two Championship appearances, playing as a batsman only.

Alan Coleman, Middlesex Head of Men's Professional Cricket, said: "Genuine all-rounders are hard to come by in cricket, and Martin has shown his quality with both bat and ball during the last couple of seasons. I'm delighted that he has committed his future to the club. He has the ability to win games of cricket with both skills, and it will be great to watch him in a Middlesex shirt for the next few seasons."