Warriors batsman Colin Ackermann has signed a contract extension with Leicestershire until the end of the 2020 campaign and has been named the club’s T20 Blast captain.

The 27-year-old South African is the leading run-scorer in Division Two of the County Championship this season, with 689 runs from 10 innings.

He also had a great home summer season for the Warriors, scoring 660 runs at an average of 66 in seven innings, including three hundreds and three fifties in the Sunfoil series.

Ackermann has replaced Clint McKay – who left in September – as T20 captain for Leicestershire.

‘I am extremely pleased to be extending my contract with the Foxes,’ he told the club’s official website.

‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I look forward to more good times to come. It is a great honour to be captaining the Foxes in the Vitality Blast and we’ll be looking to go one better than last season and make Finals Day.’

He was key to the club’s T20 knockout phases in 2017, scoring 255 runs, including two unbeaten fifties to guide the Foxes to wins against Lancashire Lightning and Yorkshire Vikings. He also managed a career-best 3-21 with the ball in the victory over Birmingham Bears.

‘I enjoyed leading the side last season and we again have a nice blend of youth and experience,’ he continued.

‘Zak Chappell is just 21 but can bowl 90 miles per hour and hit the ball out of the ground, and someone like Mohammad Nabi has played T20 all over the world.

‘We’re all excited to see what Nabi can bring, and his experience of performing under pressure and winning games will be crucial. Our young spinners, such as Callum Parkinson, will learn a great deal from him, just as the seamers have with Muhammad Abbas. We can go a long way in this tournament.’

Leicestershire head coach Paul Nixon said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted that Colin has committed his future to the club. He has had a terrific first half of the season and will now lead us during the Vitality Blast campaign. It’s an exciting time of year and everyone is looking forward to it.’

Ackermann will lead the Foxes for the first time against Northants Steelbacks in their T20 Blast opener on Wednesday.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images