CALNE cricketer Liam Dawson has signed a contract extension to keep him at Hampshire until 2017.

Goatacre ace and Gazette & Herald columnist Dawson and former Essex wicketkeeper Adam Wheater have both agreed new deals, Wheater having made seven LV= County Championship appearances this season, averaging over 40 with the bat, and has played five NatWest T20 Blast games.

He said: "It's really pleasing that the club see me as an important figure for the next three years. I feel I've performed well here and after being offered the new contract, It didn't take me long to sign!"

Academy product Dawson's five championship appearances this summer have brought him averages of 26.75 with the bat and 28.42 with his left-arm spin, but he has also sat out a large part of the summer with a groin injury.

He said: "Hampshire is a club that I've been at since I was 10 years old so I'm obviously delighted.

"I feel I'm turning into a genuine all-rounder in all formats of the game so hopefully I can keep contributing with both the bat and ball for many more years to come."

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