John Simpson has signed a new two year contract with Middlesex until at least the end of the 2017 English domestic season.“I am delighted to have signed a new deal with Middlesex, the club where I have played for the whole of my professional career,” said Simpson, who celebrated his birthday yesterday. “To play at Lord’s is a real honour and I’m looking forward to continuing to play for the foreseeable future and continuing to develop my game.

“To be contributing in all forms of the game for Middlesex is important to me, and I am genuinely excited to be part of a talented side that I feel will be challenging for honours in all competitions,” he continued. “This season so far has been really encouraging and to be heading into August and still be challenging at the top of the County Championship table is a sign that we’re moving in the right direction. As a group we’re really looking forward to the fifty over competition starting soon and are hopeful of being able to secure a place in the final at Lord’s.”

Simpson, 27, made his debut for Middlesex in 2009 and has played almost 200 1^st XI matches for the club. In these games he has scored more than 5,000 runs and snaffled almost 400 victims. He currently lies 8^th in the all-time 1^st Class list of Middlesex wicket-keepers and has the potential to move up to 6^th during the time of this contract.

“During my time in charge of Middlesex cricket John has established himself as one of the best wicket-keepers in the country,” said Middlesex’s Managing Director of Cricket, Angus Fraser. “His glove-work is as good as anybody and his keeping continues to improve under the guidance of Jack Russell.

“John is capable of producing high quality innings too and this season it has been good to watch him take his batting forward in white ball cricket. In Twenty20 he has shown what a destructive player he can be.

“Everybody at Middlesex is looking forward to continuing to work with John and to help his game develop further. He is still a young man and we all believe there is plenty more to come from him.”