Ollie Rayner provided much needed good news for Middlesex today by signing an extension to his playing contract.

The German-born spinner added a further two years to his current deal, meaning he will represent the tenants of Lord’s until at least the end of the 2016 season.

In  a week which has witnessed the club’s second innings defeat of the campaign, news of Rayner’s commitment is a timely boost for a delighted Director of Cricket Angus Fraser.

He said: "Ollie is developing into a fine cricketer and the encouraging thing is that there is still plenty of room for further improvement. He offers the team something with both ball and bat, and his slip catching is as good as any I have seen at the club.

"I am delighted he will be with us for at least another three seasons and believe that he can play a leading role in the club making further progress and challenging for silverware."

Since joining Middlesex on loan from Sussex in 2011, Rayner has has scored over 1,200 runs and taken more than 100 wickets.

His 60 catches for the club have shown him to be one of the best slip fielders in the country.

Rayner had a very good season for the club in 2013, the highlight being his performance against Surrey at the Kia Oval when he claimed match figures of 15-118. These figures were the seventh best in the history of the club.

Rayner also took three catches in the match to become the first Middlesex player to be involved in 18 of the 20 wickets to fall.

These performances were recognised by the England selectors during the winter, who selected him for the England Lions tour of Sri Lanka.