Former England wicket-keeper Jack Russell has been given every chance of playing cricket into his 40s by extending his contract with Gloucestershire.

Russell, who keeps wicket with the same sun-hat he has used since the mid-1980s, is already 38 but is still Gloucestershire's first-choice gloveman.

And his new contract means he will continue to play cricket for the Bristol-based club until at least the end of the 2004 season.

Russell opted to retire from the Test arena after appearing in the last of his 54 Tests in 1998.

Russell signed his new deal just before Wednesday's Benson & Hedges Cup match with Warwickshire in Bristol.

Gloucestershire Director of Cricket John Bracewell said: "While Jack is master of his craft, it has probably advanced further forward in the years since his retirement from international cricket.

"We expect the next three years to be the most fruitful in Jack's domestic career."