DIMI Mascarenhas has agreed a two-year contract extension with Hampshire – and will also resume the t20 captaincy.

The all-rounder will begin his 17th season with the county in April and will lead the Hampshire Royals in the shortest format.

Mascarenhas, Hampshire’s captain from 2008-09, has now recovered from the Achilles injury that has sidelined him for most of the last two seasons.

The 34-year-old said: “I’ve been here since 1996 so I didn’t want to go anywhere.

"There was just a little bit of uncertainty about the injury and how that was going to hold up but the club’s shown faith and I’ve got through so they’ve rewarded me with another two-year deal and I’m very happy.”

Jimmy Adams will captain Hampshire in the LV County Championship and Clydesdale Bank 40 competitions, but Mascarenhas is happy to take the load of his teammate’s shoulders following the departures of Dominic Cork and Nic Pothas.

“I jumped at it because I love to be captain,” he said.

“We try to go out there and play aggressive cricket and win every game – that’s always our way, especially in Twenty20. So I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of difference to the way I’ve approached it in the past.”

Club chairman Rod Bransgrove said: “Dimi has been given this Club amazing service over many years now and I am very pleased that we are extending our relationship further.

“He has endured some trying injuries but has always given 100 per cent and is now returning to full fitness.

"As far as I am concerned, Dimi is symbolic of all that is good about Hampshire Cricket and I am sure he will continue to impress with both bat and ball for at least another two seasons.

“Equally, he will fit in very well as Twenty20 captain, bringing his enormous experience to a team which has excelled at this format in recent years.”