Northants confirm contracts

Northamptonshire have announced that Usman Afzaal, Rob White, Stephen Peters, Paul Coverdale, Graeme White and Mark Nelson have signed new contracts with the club.

Afzaal joined Northants three years ago and has scored over a 1,000 first class runs each season. He has signed a two-year deal after discussions with the club which emphasised the ambition and the important role for him as a senior player within the team.

Graeme White and Mark Nelson have both signed for Northants for the 2007 season. Both players have been key members with the England Under-19 squad as well as the Northants second XI and Academy.

Whitehas been offered a year extension to his current contract and Nelson has been offered a new one-year contract.

The head coach David Capel said: "We are looking to keep the continuity following on from the success at the end of the 2006 season. Our opening partnership will be joining forces once again and it is great news that Usman has committed to a two-year deal. It is also fantastic to see representation from the academy on our cricket staff for 2007."