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James Foster has been voted the Quintessence Design Essex Website Player of the Year for 2006.

The wicketkeeper/batsman was an overwhelming winner, polling 35% of the votes of Essex CCC website users (www.essexcricket.org.uk).

The 26-year-old enjoyed an outstanding 2006 season, claiming more dismissals than any other keeper in either division of the County Championship (68) and also scoring 721 runs @ 42.41.

In addition, the London-born cricketer played a major role in Essex’s successful one-day season that culminated in silverware in both the NatWest Pro40 and the Twenty20 Floodlit Cup.

Batsman Mark Pettini came second in the voting with Captain Ronnie Irani just pipping experienced batsman Andy Flower to third spot.

Foster follows in the footsteps of Will Jefferson and Alastair Cook who were named Quintessence Design Essex Website Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

The name of the successful voter who will present James Foster with his award at the start of the 2007 season will be revealed soon on the Essex CCC website.

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South Africa fast bowler Andre Nel will return to Essex County Cricket Club for his second spell with the County in 2007.

Subject to formal approval from the South African Cricket Board the 29-year-old is set to play for Essex during the first half of next season, after South Africa’s participation in the World Cup until mid-June.

Nel enjoyed a short period at the County from mid-August until early September in 2005. Despite his brief stay, the Gauteng-born bowler made a positive impact at the Club both on and off the field. He took wickets with his first and third balls on his Championship debut and was bowling at the death when Essex Eagles sealed their totesport League title against Hampshire Hawks at Colchester.

Nel, who also played county cricket for Northamptonshire in 2003, is an integral part of the South Africa side at both Test and one-day level. He has 84 wickets @ 29.79 in 23 Test appearances and 72 wickets at 28.08 in 54 ODI games.

Essex Chief Executive David East told the Essex CCC website:

“Andre was a huge asset to us in the brief time he was at Essex in 2005.  He is a wholehearted competitor and is sure to make a significant early season impact in both one-day and Championship cricket.”

In addition, negotiations are close to being finalised to bring Australia fast bowler Andy Bichel back to Essex following Nel’s departure until September 15 (with the possibility of extending his stay beyond that date subject to further discussions).

Nel and Bichel will fill one overseas slot for Essex during the 2007 season with Pakistan leg-spin bowler Danish Kaneria filling the other position across the whole campaign.

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