Warner extends contract with New South Wales

New Delhi, Apr 9(ANI): New South Wales (NSW) batsman Dave Warner has ended recent speculation about his playing future with the team by extending his stay with them for another three-years.

Warner, who has had limited opportunities with NSW, was due to be out of contract in July, but decided to stay and fight for his place.

Certain media reports had earlier linked him to rival states, including Queensland and Victoria, who are thought to have pushed hard to have a deal with the 23-year-old.

"I am very much looking forward to continuing my playing career at NSW. I have played all my junior and senior cricket here and I would like to perform well for my home state," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Warner, as saying.

"NSW has a proud tradition of producing great cricketers for the state and for Australia and if, in some way, I have the opportunity to be part of that tradition it would be great. We have a strong squad at NSW," he added.

Meanwhile, Cricket New South Wales Chief Executive, David Gilbert, said that the team is thrilled to have secured Warner's services for the next three years.

"David Warner is a highly gifted batsman with a very promising future ahead of him. His performances over the past 18 months in limited-overs cricket have been exceptional and, at times, stunning," Gilbert said.

"He is determined to make his mark in the longer form of the game and Cricket NSW will provide him with the necessary support to achieve his aims," he added.

Warner is known for favouring the aerial route with his aggressive left-handed batting style, and ability to switch hit. He is an athletic fielder and also a part-time spin bowler.

His breakthrough innings for the NSW came against Tasmania when he smashed 165 not out to record the highest one-day score by a Blues player ever.

Warner later backed it up with a 54-ball 97 also against Tasmania to narrowly miss the record for the fastest ever century in Australian domestic cricket. (ANI)