By Jack Staplehurst

 

JESSE Ryder has given Essex a massive lift by signing a new two-year deal at the club.

The Kiwi has been a huge contributor in all formats of the game for Essex this season and he will now be playing his cricket at the County Ground until the end of the 2016 season.

The all-rounder was awarded his County Cap during the ongoing match against Worcestershire, in which he has excelled again by taking five wickets and scoring an unbeaten 120 in the first two days of the final fixture of the season.

Essex head coach Paul Grayson said his side has secured the signature of one of the ‘best players in world cricket’.

“We are all delighted that Jesse has extended his stay with the club,” said Grayson, “and this is a really important signing. Jesse has shown this season that he is one of the best players in world cricket.”

The 30-year-old has an impressive batting average of 92.25 in the Royal London Cup this year, while also winning plaudits from the coaching staff and fans because of his effectiveness with the ball.

In total, Ryder has claimed 44 wickets in the County Championship – the most in the competition – and has firmly established himself at the top of the order, having played key roles as Essex made the quarter-finals in both limited overs cricket competitions this summer.

Ryder’s form has seen him put to bed any fears of a possible drop in form that saw the New Zealander take an indefinite break from international cricket at the start of 2012 after injury concerns and disciplinary issues.

He returned to the New Zealand side at the start of 2014 and saw Ryder record the sixth fastest ODI century in history – 104 runs in 46 balls – before he was dropped from the side after drinking the evening before a Test match.

Grayson feels Ryder’s influence on and off the pitch is essential to the success of the squad next season as Essex will commence their chase for silverware having gone without since 2008’s Friends Provident Trophy glory.

“He has fitted in really well to the dressing room and we feel that having Jesse in the team will only improve our hopes of challenging for silverware again in 2015.”