Middlesex batting coach David Houghton feels it was no surprise to see Nick Gubbins develop into a key player across all formats last season.

The young left-hander, who has just extended his contract with Middlesex, was mainly restricted to County Championship cricket when he broke into the first team in 2014, but featured regularly in their limited-overs side as well last summer.

In fact, Gubbins was the Lord’s side’s second highest run-scorer in their Royal London 50-Over Cup campaign, averaging 56.50 and hitting his maiden century in a nail-biting win over Sussex at Hove.

“One of the things we noticed with Nick Gubbins was that he struck the ball as hard and as cleanly as anyone in the side, so there was always the thought that he could convert that into one-day cricket,” said Houghton.

“Nick doesn’t need a second invitation to play his shots. He’s young and enthusiastic and he doesn’t see personal milestones as something that gets in the way of doing the right thing.

“He got to that hundred against Sussex with a flick to the leg side for six, then the next day he got caught on the boundary for 96. He asked me if I thought he’d done the right thing and I assured him he had.

“Many players would have been looking for four singles to get to the century. He’s a really nice lad who works hard, he takes everything on board and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

The 21-year-old, who missed the latter part of the season due to a broken foot, has committed his future to Middlesex until at least the end of the 2018 campaign.

“I’m loving my time here and look forward to helping the club win lots of trophies in the years to come,” said Gubbins. “We have a fantastic squad and it’s great to be part of it.”