Sussex all-rounder Mike Yardy has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2015 season.

Yardy’s current deal was due to expire at the end of this summer but the club have moved quickly to secure his services until just short of his 35th birthday.

The former England international made his debut for Sussex in 1999 and is celebrating his testimonial year during 2014.

Yardy has played 167 first class matches for the county – scoring 9,411 runs - along with 166 List A games and making 84 Twenty20 appearances. He has also taken more than 200 wickets for Sussex in all formats of the game.

Sussex coach Mark Robinson said: “Yards plays such an important role in our club, not only as a player but also as a custodian of the culture that is Sussex County Cricket Club.

“On both accounts we are delighted that we have him for a further two years. He is as hungry as ever and we are excited at the prospect of him helping us achieve future success.”

Yardy said: “I’m really happy to have extended my contract with Sussex. It's really important that we keep progressing forward challenging on all fronts. My aim is to put in match winning performances to contribute towards that.”