Richardson commits to Durham

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Durham’s reserve wicketkeeper Michael Richardson, the son of ICC chief executive and former South Africa batsman Dave Richardson, has signed a contract extension until the end of the 2014 season.

Richardson junior - who was born in Port Elizabeth - joined Durham in late 2009, made his debut in the 2010 season opener versus Durham MCCU and had a second XI batting average of 70 that year.

Michael Richardson made four LV= County Championship appearances this year with a top score of 58 versus Sussex in September

He made several first-team appearances in 2011, proving a dependable deputy behind the stumps to Phil Mustard plus scoring 67 and an unbeaten 73 in LV= County Championship victory over Yorkshire.

Richardson again shone in the second XI this year and earned a first-team berth as a specialist batsman, making a second-innings 58 as Sussex were defeated in the last game of the campaign.

The 26-year-old, who is currently working with the club’s championship sponsor Brewin Dolphin, told Durham’s website: "I'm really looking forward to next year and proud to have extended my stay with Durham.

“I've been working with Brewin Dolphin over the winter, which has been great exposure to life after cricket, but I've also managed to keep up with my winter training schedule ahead of the new year and have been getting some good and specific preparation in ahead of the new season.

"I'll be meeting up again with the squad full-time in January. I got my place in the first team towards the end of last season and that's where I would like to start come April. It feels like next summer, 2013, is going to be a crucial year for me and the club and hopefully we can win a trophy to really top it off."

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