Tuesday 26 July 2016 13:48, UK
Durham captain Paul Collingwood will extend a distinguished playing career into a 22nd year after signing a new contract for the 2017 season.
The news comes on the same day it was announced highly-rated opener and limited-overs skipper Mark Stoneman will leave for Surrey at the end of the season.
Collingwood, who led Durham to the 2013 County Championship title, has amassed three fifties and a century in eight championship matches at an average in excess of 50 this season.
He told the club's website: "I am so proud to still be playing for my home county who have given me the perfect environment to fulfil all of my cricketing dreams.
"I feel that I can continue to contribute to the team and I really want to help develop the next generation of Durham cricketers.
"I know that this club still has so much to offer English cricket and I continue to be excited by the young talent coming through the ranks."
Collingwood made the first of his 274 first-class appearances against Northamptonshire for Durham in 1996 and has scored 15,368 runs and taken 154 wickets in that time.
David Harker, Durham's chief executive, added: "To keep a player of Paul's experience and ability at the club is a massive bonus as we start to look towards our plans for 2017.
"He continues to epitomise the values of Durham CCC, both on and off the field, as well as still being a fine player who leads from the front in the role of club captain. We are delighted to have his services for another season."
