Rogers extends Derbyshire reign

Chris Rogers, who has become one of the most reliable batsmen in county cricket, will captain Derbyshire once more in 2010

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Chris Rogers has agreed to return as Derbyshire captain and overseas player next year.

The Australian left-handed opening batsman, 32, enjoyed another prolific season with the bat this summer and led Derbyshire to within sight of promotion from LV= County Championship Division Two.

Despite missing the first three games due to visa problems, he scored championship 1,461 runs at an average of 73.05, including two double centuries, and a further 723 in limited-overs cricket.

Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris said: “Chris has performed exceptionally well throughout the last two campaigns and we are delighted to be welcoming him back for another season.

“Possessing a wonderful appetite for runs - illustrated in him scoring over 2,000 runs in all competitions in 2009 - and with an excellent professionalism in his game, Chris sets a fine example to the rest of the team and really has led the way as captain this year.

“From the captaincy point of view, it is great to have continuity. The team responded well to Chris as captain of the team last year and I have been delighted by how committed he is to the cause and how keen he is to return to Derbyshire for another season in 2010.”

Rogers spent six weeks at Derbyshire in 2004, and also served as overseas player at Leicestershire and Northamptonshire before returning to Derby in 2008.

A prolific run-scorer in Australian domestic cricket, he played a solitary Test for Australia, against India early last year.