Benkenstein pens Durham deal

Dale Benkenstein has signed an extended contract with Durham until the end of the 2014 season, by which time he will be 40.

Evergreen batsman determined to play on for as long as possible

Durham's one-day captain Dale Benkenstein has signed an extended contract taking him up to the end of the 2014 season, by which time he will be 40. Benkenstein, who played in 23 one-day internationals for South Africa, came to Durham in 2005 and has been an integral member of the squad ever since. He captained Durham to their first silverware, the Friends Provident Trophy, in 2007 followed by their first championship title the following year. "Everyone has said what I have done has been great, but I couldn't have done it if Durham hadn't given me the opportunity and I'll always be grateful for that," he said. "My international career was finished and I was coming to a point where I would probably have finished had I not come to Durham. The move has given me the better half of my career. "The club is in good shape and the academy continues to produce good players. It's important that we keep the balance right in bringing young players through. "I'm happy to continue as one-day captain, and winning the Twenty20 is a good goal for me to have this season."