Adam Rossington has been given a new Northamptonshire contract and the County Championship captaincy for the remainder of the season.

The wicket-keeper-batsman, who led the side in the recent game against Durham, has signed a deal which ties him to Northants until 2021.

“It’s a great privilege and an honour,” said Rossington, whose red-ball average of 65.80 this season is Northants’ highest. “I’m really looking forward to it, hopefully I can lead by example and we’ll get some wins along the way.

“It’s been great since I joined from Middlesex [in 2014]. I’ve really enjoyed my time here, so I’m delighted to extend it for another two years and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season. Hopefully we can kick on and have some more success.”

Rossington’s captaincy is initially a short-term arrngement but, according to head coach David Ripley, the 26-year-old has the credentials to take on the job full-time.

“He was a strong candidate for red-ball captaincy at the start of the season,” Ripley said. “We knew all the attributes were there and now he has the chance to grab the opportunity, I can see him doing it long-term.

“Adam is a key performer in all three formats, he’s improving year on year and in his consistency, he is a match-winning batsman and he has proven that in the time that he has been with us. I’m delighted to sign one of our best”players on a long-term deal.”