Madsen and Footitt earn new Derbyshire contracts

Batsman Wayne Madsen and fast-bowler Mark Footitt have signed new two-year contracts with Derbyshire.

Madsen, 26, was born in South Africa and made his Derbyshire debut last year. In April 2010 he reached a career-best first-class score of 179, putting together an opening stand of 273 with captain Chris Rogers - a county record and scored 1,403 runs, four first-class centuries and averaged over 50 in one-day cricket in 2010.

Footitt was a former Under-19 international for England and now 24, took 33 wickets in all competitions last year after joining from Nottinghamshire in 2009. "I am delighted to secure the services of two cricketers who could prove to be prized assets for the next two years," said Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris.

"In Mark Footitt we have a bowler capable of genuine pace who took promising strides forward in 2010. He is aiming to continue that development over the next two years into a front line first-class bowler. Wayne Madsen has brought great professionalism and an exemplary attitude to the squad as well as maintaining the happy habit of scoring centuries.

"Both players are now working hard during the winter to attain the peak of physical fitness before no doubt testing each other out in the nets ahead of the 2011 season."