Batty extends Surrey contract

Jon Batty is a key figure in the Surrey team © Getty Images

Jon Batty, the Surrey wicketkeeper, has extended his contract at The Oval by two years to take him through to the end of the 2009 season. The forthcoming campaign will mark Batty's 10 years at the club after joining as Alec Stewart's understudy in 1997.

He played a key role in Surrey's promotion back to division one of the County Championship in 2006. Opening the innings he averaged 34.62 on his way to scoring 935 runs while also taking 44 catches and nine stumpings.

Surrey's first team coach, Alan Butcher said: "JB has been a vital member of the Surrey squad over the past eight or nine years so to confirm his presence at the county for the next three seasons is fantastic news for the club."

Batty added: "Promotion into division one and a number of great signings means that the club is entering into a very exciting era and I am very much looking forward to being a part of that."