BOLTON cricketer Matt Parkinson has signed a contract extension with Lancashire until the end of the 2021 season.

The leg-spinner, from Heaton, enjoyed a landmark 2018 campaign and was named Lancashire’s One-Day and Young Player of the Year, at the club’s end-of-season awards.

Parkinson was rewarded for his successful season after Melbourne Stars signed him for the second half of this year’s Big Bash competition and was also included in England Lions’ squad for their tour of the UAE, however he was later ruled out of the latter with a back injury.

Parkinson told the Red Rose club’s website: “It is a great feeling to secure my long-term future with Lancashire, a club which means a lot to me having played for the Red Rose since I was just nine.

“I was really pleased with my white-ball form last season and hopefully I can continue putting in match-winning performances to help the side challenge for honours next year.”

Lancashire’s head coach Glen Chapple, added: “It is great news that Matt has committed his future to the club. He is an important part of what we are looking to achieve in all three formats of the game. He is a local lad who is always improving.”