Former Boland batsman Ricardo Vasconcelos has signed a five-year contract extension with Northamptonshire in English county cricket.

The South African-born left-hander has been sidelined by injury since mid-July 2019, but had enjoyed a solid stretch of form for Northamptonshire prior.

‘It was an easy decision for me to stay here. Northants took a chance on me and picked me out of South Africa, so it was a no-brainer for me to be loyal to the club that gave me a chance to live my dream,’ said Vasconcelos, who has a Portugese passport.

‘The club has really shown ambition this year with some top-class overseas signings, so hopefully that ambition pays off and we can get promoted and continue to improve in Division One next year.

‘The injury is coming along well. I’ve started walking again now so this is where the hard work starts, I guess, but I’m prepared to put in the work and come back stronger and fitter than ever for what hopefully will be a really good season for us in Division One next year.’

The 21-year-old Vasconcelos has collected 2,057 runs after 61 first-class innings – and was particularly impressive during June’s century against Durham at Chester-le-Street.

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