Peters stays at Northants

Stephen Peters has twice broken his career-best score in a phenomenal season opening for Northamptonshire

Stephen Peters has been rewarded for the most productive season of his career by extending his Northamptonshire contract to the end of 2012.

The 31-year-old former Essex and Worcestershire batsman, who was already contracted to 2011, has blazed 1,229 runs in 14 LV= County Championship games this season, almost double his nearest challenger in the Northants first-class averages.

Northants head coach David Capel said: “Most batsmen of his experience get better and better in their thirties, so I am delighted that ‘Pedro’ will be spending at least another two years here.

“He has been a model of consistency since he arrived at the club and on the evidence of his performances this season, I am confident that he has a major part to play in the future and will continue to give us vital stability at the top of the order.”

Peters passed his previous best season tally during his 75 in the ongoing match against Worcestershire at Wantage Road, his sixth fifty in a season which has also featured three centuries.

He twice broke his career-best scores, making 183 not out and 199 home and away against Middlesex, and has now passed the coveted 1,000 run barrier three times out of his five years at Northants.

Peters said: “I’m delighted to extend my stay with the club. This year has been a great year for me personally which helps, but it’s the enjoyment I have had in the dressing room that also added to my decision.

“I think with the mix of experience and some very talented young players that have developed this year at the club, I wanted to play my part in that continued development.”