Niall O’Brien signs one-year extension with Leicestershire

Irish international cricketer Niall O’Brien has signed a one-year contract extension with Leicestershire for the summer of 2015.

The 33-year-old wicketkeeper batsman, currently preparing for next month's World Cup, was named the Foxes' cricketer of the year for 2014 after scoring 971 County Championship runs and also excelling in limited-overs cricket, with an unbeaten century to help beat Hampshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup. The Sandymount native has also captained the county on occasions.

O’Brien said: “I am delighted to commit my future to Leicestershire County Cricket Club. It is the start of a new dawn at Grace Road and I am very pleased to be a part of it.

"We are developing a good squad with a nice blend of youth and experience and I am really looking forward to working with Wasim Khan, Andrew McDonald, all of the coaching staff and my team-mates as we aim to have a successful season."

Chief executive Khan said: “We see Niall as a key figure at the club. He is a winner, has vast international experience and is a leader both in the dressing room and on the field.”