Gareth Berg has extended his Hampshire contract until the end of next season.

The 34 year-old all-rounder is an early contender for Player of the Year after impressing since signing from Middlesex, who released him after a freak shoulder infection ruled him out for most of last season.

Berg is Hampshire's leading wicket-taker in the LV County Championship (30 at 29.06) and only Michael Carberry and Will Smith have scored more than his 564 runs at 31.3, which include a top score of 99 in the win against Sussex at Hove in June.

"I’m delighted to have signed a new deal with the club," he said. "We perhaps didn’t realise how much cricket I was going to play, but there has been a role for me within the team.

"I’ve enjoyed every moment of playing for Hampshire so far and long may it continue."

Director of cricket Giles White said: "We’re very pleased – Gareth’s come here and performed very well by putting in some consistent bowling performances and contributing with the bat.

"It’s a credit to him that he’s become a key player in our side – he worked hard during the winter to be fit and he hasn’t looked back."