By Matt Somerford
Middlesex managing director cricket Angus Fraser has expressed his delight after Dawid Malan signed a three-year deal to remain at Lord’s.
Malan was one of the shining lights of a difficult season – Middlesex only avoided relegation on the final day– as he passed 1,000 LV= County Championship runs for the second year since his first-class debut in 2008.
The 26-year-old also moved passed 10,000 runs in all competitions for the county and Fraser believes Malan can push for England honours during his new contract.
“I am delighted that Dawid has signed a new deal with the club and would like him to spend his entire career at Lord's,” Fraser said.
“My time with Middlesex as MD of cricket has coincided with his career and it is great to see a player at your club begin to produce a set of figures that should ensure they will be fondly talked about by members in many years to come.
“Dawid remains one of the more gifted cricketers in county cricket and it has been good to see him score runs in all forms of the game this season.
“He should be in the prime of his career during this contract and is at an age where he has many productive years to come.
“I believe he still has the chance to push for higher honours.”
With captain Chris Rogers unlikely to be available to Middlesex next season due to his Australia commitments, Malan is set to be given extra responsibility.
Malan was second only to Rogers in Middlesex’s championship run-scorers list this season, while he led the way in limited-overs cricket ahead of England short-format expert Eoin Morgan.
Fraser added: “As one of Middlesex's senior players we will be looking for him to provide the club with leadership as we move forward and look to improve on what has been a disappointing season for the club."
Malan was pleased to remain at Middlesex, where he has hit 16 centuries, since arriving as a teenager.
“I am delighted to have extended my stay at the club that gave me my opportunity as an 18-year-old in 2006,” he said.
“I am confident that the club will be challenging for silverware over the next few years and aim to play a big part in those successes.”