Durham have handed Netherlands all-rounder Colin Ackermann a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2028 season. The deal rewards a player who has become a fixture across all three formats — the multi-day County Championship, the 50-over One-Day Cup and the fast-paced T20 Blast — since arriving from Leicestershire ahead of the 2024 summer. BBC Sport

Ackermann, now 35, initially signed a three-year deal with Durham in June 2023 after seven seasons at Leicestershire. He and left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson made the move together, both having turned down contract extensions in the East Midlands. At the time, Ackermann was 32 and described as a signing who would bolster Durham's batting and offer handy off-spin across every format. Durham Cricket

He has delivered on that promise. Five first-class centuries — the long-form, two-innings games that make up the County Championship — have come from his bat in Durham colours, and one of those innings formed part of something historic. In 2024, Ackermann and South African-born David Bedingham put together 425 runs together, the largest partnership — two batters scoring consecutively without being separated — in Durham's first-class history. BBC Sport

Head coach Ryan Campbell was effusive about the extension. Ackermann, he said, provides important flexibility with both bat and ball across all three formats and is "a match winner on his day." BBC Sport

For a club that has spent recent years building a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts, locking down a player who contributes in every department is straightforward business sense. Ackermann bats in the middle order, bowls off-spin when conditions suit, and brings the experience of a long county career to a dressing room mixing internationals with younger talent.

What makes the deal worth noting is the age piece. Extending a 35-year-old until 2028 takes Ackermann into his late thirties, a stage where most county professionals are winding down rather than signing fresh terms. Durham clearly believe the value lies in what he already delivers rather than in untapped potential.

Ackermann also carries a profile beyond the county circuit. As a Netherlands international, he has appeared on the global stage, including at T20 World Cups. Players who straddle the county season and international duty bring a breadth of experience that clubs value, particularly in the dressing room.

The extension was confirmed on 3 August 2026, with Durham publishing the news on their official website the same day. Durham Cricket