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All-rounder James Middlebrook has signed a two-year contract extension with Essex to keep him at the Club until the end of the 2009 season.

The 30-year-old remains an integral member of the side at both one-day and Championship level.

His most notable achievement so far this season has been his highest first-class score of 127, made against Middlesex in the LV County Championship match at Lord’s in June.

Middlebrook has scored over 3000 first-class runs and taken 220 first-class wickets since joining Essex from Yorkshire in 2002. In addition, the off-spinner has claimed over 100 one-day victims for the Essex Eagles with his off-spin.

Middlebrook told the Essex CCC website (www.essexcricket.org.uk): “I’m delighted to have signed a new two-year deal at Essex. I’ve already had six happy and successful years at the Club and now we are entering a new era with a new Captain and new Coach. I feel I am at the peak of my career, playing good cricket, so Essex have rewarded me with a two-year contract. Hopefully we can win some more one-day trophies and get promotion in that time.

“Over the last few years I’ve had my sights on making the (England) one-day side. People like Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara (of Essex) have already made their one-day mark for England so I need to continue to put in the hard work for Essex. I feel that I have put in the performances as a spin-bowler and have also been given a few opportunities as a pinch-hitter recently. If I can get more runs then I feel I can make myself into an all-rounder for England.”

Essex Chief Executive David East told the Essex CCC website: “James is the last of our capped players to have confirmed their commitment to the Club. We are about to embark on a new era with a new Captain and coaching support regime and there was a very clear message coming from them that James was a very important part of the planning for the future. We are delighted that we have been able to secure his services for the next two years and I’m sure he’ll do very well for us in that time.”

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Worcestershire CCC announced the signing of Pakistan’s 27 year old all rounder, Abdul Razzaq, as a replacement overseas player for the remainder of the 2007 season following the return of Phil Jaques and Doug Bollinger to Australia for their ‘A’ team tour of Pakistan.

Abdul Razzaq arrived in Worcester on Sunday and will join the squad for training today before the team travel to Canterbury for the LVCC match against Kent starting on Tuesday. He has played 46 Test Matches and 231 ODI’s for his Country having made his debut in 1996 against Zimbabwe in Lahore. He has previously played county cricket for Middlesex in 2002 and 2003.

Chief Executive, Mark Newton, says “It has been very difficult to find quality replacement overseas players because of the forthcoming Twenty20 Cup World Championships and Abdul’s availability has come at just the right time. He has scored over 6,500 runs and taken nearly 350 wickets at international level and will certainly give us the quality and experience we need during the last few weeks of the season, particularly in the Natwest Pro40 competition. We have received clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board but still need to complete the registration procedures with the ECB.”

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Essex has agreed a three-year deal with Leicestershire fast bowler David Masters up until the end of the 2010 season.

The 29-year-old began his first-class career with Kent in 2000 before joining Leicestershire for the 2003 season.

Masters has taken 229 first-class wickets at an average of 31.71 as well as claiming 71 one-day wickets and 30 Twenty20 Cup victims.

Masters told the Essex CCC website (www.essexcricket.org.uk): “I’m very excited about the prospect of playing for Essex - it’s a massive club. My Dad (former Kent player Kevin Masters) said it’s a great place to play cricket, and always wanted to play here but never got the opportunity, so it’s going to be good for me to get that chance.

“It’s always hard coming to a new county. I’ll probably need a little bit of time to get into it but I’m pretty sure I’ll do well. I know my game now and I’m at my peak so I think Essex have got me at the perfect time of my career.”

Essex Chief Executive David East told the Essex CCC website: “Signing a quality opening bowler was an absolute priority for us for 2008 and I am delighted that we have been able to conclude our deal with David at this stage of the season. We have got some terrific young bowlers coming through our system, but David offers us the great combination of ability and experience straight away. I am sure he will do very well at Essex”

Essex Captain Mark Pettini told the Essex CCC website of his delight at the Club’s two recent signings (Masters and Chris Wright from Middlesex)

“We identified last month some guys who we wanted to sign for next season and David was one of those (to follow Chris Wright who signed from Middlesex last week). Our particular niche was in getting an opening bowler or two so we are very pleased that he decided to sign with us.

“We wanted to sort our squad out for next year as soon as possible. Rather than spend the winter trying to sign players we wanted to spend it planning with what we knew we already had. With that in mind we wanted to move sooner rather than later and David also felt the same in that he wanted to sort out his future as soon as possible, so it’s good for both parties.

“I faced him here at Chelmsford last year and I’ve seen his record so I know what he can offer us as a bowler. I’m very happy to welcome him into the side.”

David Masters Factfile
Born: 22 April 1978
Birthplace: Chatham, Kent
Major teams: Kent, Leicestershire
Role: Right-hand bat/Right medium-fast
First-class career: 86 matches, 1088 runs @ 13.10/229 wickets @ 31.71
Best Bowling (first-class): 6-27 for Kent v Durham (Tunbridge Wells, 2000)
Best Batting (first-class): 119 for Leicestershire v Sussex (Hove, 2003)

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