On The Circuit

Porterfield extends contract

Will Porterfield, the Ireland left-hander, has signed a new two-year deal with Gloucestershire.

In 12 Championship matches in 2008 he scored 718 runs at 32.68 with a top score of 93.

..I am really pleased to be offered an extra two years at Gloucestershire." he said. I am looking forward to building on what has been a good first season for me. This is where my future lies and I hope the next two years will be successful for both me and the club.

White to captain second XI

Craig White has signed a one-year contract to captain Yorkshire's 2nd XI next season. White first played for the club in 1990, but has drifted out of first-team action recently.

"I enjoyed looking after the 2nds this season tremendously and I think they need a senior figure to learn from, support them and help them along the way," he said. "I am really looking forward to continuing in that role next year."

Ramprakash faces lengthy ban

Mark Ramprakash faces the prospect of a lengthy ban when he appears in front of an ECB disciplinary committee at Lord�..s on Tuesday.

Ramprakash is accused of repeatedly swearing at umpire John Steele during Surrey�..s County Championship match against Sussex last month.

Ben Smith awarded benefit

Worcestershire batsman Ben Smith has been awarded a benefit season in 2009. He joined from Leicestershire in 2002 and has been a consistent scorer in all forms of the game.

"Once we had received the request from some Members to consider awarding Ben a benefit year, it took no time at all to agree," said chief executive Mark Newton. "Ben is a wonderful professional cricketer who is still at the top of his game. He has just signed for a further two years and we hope our members and supporters will help Ben make a success of the year."

Smith added: "I have had some brilliant times and have thoroughly enjoyed making contributions to the team on and off the field. I now look forward to an exciting year ahead based around The Ashes and the World Twenty20 whilst aiming for more successes with the team and club."

Morris not offered new contract

Richard Morris has not been offered a contract by Hampshire Cricket for the 2009 season.

The 20-year-old was born in Newbury, and educated at Loughborough University. He made his debut in 2006.

Ten Lancashire players sign deals

Ten Lancashire players have agreed new deals with the club the day after they were relegated in the Pro40.

Those extending their stays include Tom Smith, Kyle Hogg, Gareth Cross and Steven Croft.

�..We have high hopes for all ten players, as they will form the backbone of our senior squad in the years ahead," said manager Mike Watkinson.

�..Despite four no results, a number of our younger players have had opportunities in this year�..s Pro40 campaign. It has been very encouraging to see the energy, talent and commitment demonstrated by these players, and it bodes well for the future of Lancashire.�.�

Bowlers Simon Kerrigan and Stephen Cheetham have both signed two-year contracts, their first professional deals, after impressing everyone with their second team and club performances this over the past couple of seasons.

New contracts Karl Brown, Steven Croft, Gareth Cross, Kyle Hogg, Steven Mullaney, Oliver Newby, Simon Kerrigan, Stephen Cheetham, Stephen Parry, Tom Smith

Lamb and Latouf released

Greg Lamb, the offspinning allrounder, and batsman Kevin Latouf have been released by Hampshire.

Lamb began the season as the main spinner, but struggled to fill the gap left by Shane Warne and Shaun Udal before being dropped in favour of Imran Tahir and Liam Dawson.

Latouf has been on a trial at Warwickshire during the season after failing to find a first-team place.

Logan 'disappointed' at release

Richard Logan has said he is 'disappointed' at being released by Northamptonshire with immediate effect.

Logan has spent two seasons at Northamptonshire during his second stint with the club and found it difficult to maintain a regular place in the side.

�..After 12 years in the professional game I am disappointed that things have not worked out as well as I would have liked," he said. "However, I�..m excited about new challenges that lie ahead in my life either inside or outside of the game.�.�

Coach David Capel said: �..It was a difficult decision to release Richard from his contract and we have done it with the future in mind. It is disappointing from the players point of view that it has not worked out but I sincerely wish him all the best for his future.�.�

The club have also released 20-year-old seam bowler Richard Browning. he was on a summer contract after having spent the first of his two years at the club on the full-time staff.

Saxelby secures Gloucestershire deal

Ian Saxelby, the 19-year-old quick bowler, has signed a three-year deal with Gloucestershire after impressing during a trial.

�..Having watched a lot of young bowlers at many levels around the country this season, he is undoubtedly the pick of the bunch," said club mentor Jack Russell.

Ian Saxelby added: �..I am looking forward to opportunity of playing for Gloucestershire. Hopefully things will go well over next few years and my cricket will improve over this time.�.�

Essex sign Maunders

Essex have registered former Leicestershire batsman John Maunders for the remainder of the season.

He has featured in Essex�..s 2nd XI, averaging 53.50 in the Championship and 47.50 in the Second Eleven Trophy.

�..John is a good, organised player who wants to get back into the professional game," said coach Paul Grayson. "He�..s a good age [27] and a left-hander, which is a commodity we are short of in the batting at the moment. His stats in the second eleven are pretty good so he deserves this opportunity.�.�

Hinds extends Derbyshire stay

Former West Indian batsman Wavell Hinds has signed a new contract with Derbyshire which keeps him at the county as a Kolpak player in 2009 with an option to extend it to 2010. Hinds joined Derbyshire in June and has since made six half-centuries and taken 17 wickets in all competitions.

Benefit and new contract for Strauss

Middlesex have awarded Andrew Strauss a benefit in 2009. Strauss made his county debut in 1997, first class debut in 1998 and was capped by the club in 2001. He has also signed a two-year extension to his contract which will keep him at Lord's until the end of 2010.

David Ward retires from Minor Counties cricket

David Ward, the former Surrey batsman, has hung up his boots for the final time. Ward, 47, has spent 12 years dominating Minor Counties cricket for Hertfordshire, in which time he amassed more than 6000 runs at 53.53.

Nottinghamshire lend Worcestershire Harris

Andrew Harris, the Nottinghamshire seamer, has joined Worcestershire on loan for four weeks.

The 35-year-old�..s loan period begins from today (Sunday) and he is straight into the 12-man team for the NatWest Pro40 match against Durham.

Ervine commits to Hampshire and England

Ervine has signed a new two-year contract with Hampshire until end of the 2010 season. Ervine, the former Zimbabwe allrounder, has also committed to spend more than 210 days annually in England over the next four years in order to qualify for England.

�..I am extremely happy to commit myself for another 2 years," he said. "Hampshire is a fantastic club to be apart of, and I�..m looking forward to a great deal of success over the next few years."