Benefit boost in 2013 for tireless Masters

By Paul Hiscock

David Masters has been given an extra reason to celebrate the forthcoming festive season. The tireless Essex seamer has been awarded a benefit year in 2013 despite having only joined the county in 2008 from Leicestershire.

"“It'’s quite unbelievable,"” he said. "“Usually, you have to wait for ten years for a county bnenfit and so to be recognised at this stage is brilliant. Mind you, I'’ve probably bowled as many overs in five years as some bowl in ten!"

The new ball bowler has taken 522 first-class victims in a career that started in 2000 with Kent - and he enjoyed a stellar year in 2011 when he was the leading bowler in the country with an outstanding 93-wicket haul for Essex.

“"I love the game, I feel in good shape and still feel that I'’ve got a lot to give to Essex," added Masters. "We have some good young bowers emerging at the club and I want to help them as much as I can with advice and my experience. Not that I’'m ready to give up my place yet. I'’ve got a lot of games left in me."”

The Chatham-born 34-year-old is also looking forward to teaming up with the county'’s new pace recruit, former England and Lancashire fast bowler Sajid Mahmood. "“It will be good to have him around, he'’s a good bowler and he'’ll complement the bowlers that we already have," said Masters.

“"To win  County Championship matches, you have to take 20 wickets and Sajid will help us to do that. It'’s good to be able to have options and I think that we are in a good place now on the bowling front. If our batters can score runs, then I'’m sure we'’ll do alright.

"“It'’s a great honour for me to have been awarded the benefit. I really do appreciate the gesture made by the club and it would be lovely if we could win promotion or some silverware in 2013. It would be the icing on the cake for me."”

 

Date: 19/12/2012 13:19:34 by Paul Hiscock
In: Today | Essex |