Essex duo Aron Nijjar and Paul Walter sign new contracts

The pair will remain with the club until at least the end of the 2023 season

Aron Nijjar and Paul Walter have committed their futures to Essex after signing new two-year deals.

They will remain at Chelmsford until at least the end of the 2023 season.

Spinner Nijjar, who made his debut for the club in 2015, enjoyed considerable white-ball success last season, taking 28 wickets in 23 matches across the T20 Blast and Royal London Cup.

His best performance came against Yorkshire in August when he recorded career-best List A figures of 2 for 26.

27-year-old allrounder Walter made 32 appearances for Essex across all formats in 2021, scoring 544 runs, including four half-centuries, in the County Championship, 157 runs in the Royal London Cup and 120 runs in the T20 Blast. He also took four wickets across the three competitions.

Commenting on his new contract, Nijjar said: "I’ve really enjoyed playing an important role in the side this season, especially being trusted with the ball during key overs of the match.

^{Aron Nijjar bowling in the T20 Blast [Jacques Feeney/Getty Images]}

"I feel my game has developed over the past few years and having world-class spinners at the club has allowed me to learn and continue broadening my skills."

Walter said: "I proud to have a new two-year deal with my home county and I feel the next couple of seasons are going to be really important for my career.

"I’m looking forward to the challenge and having a strong winter so I can nail down my position in a talented side.

"We’ve enjoyed some unbelievable success since I made my first-class debut in 2016 and I want to contribute as much as I can to bring more trophies to Essex."

Head coach Anthony McGrath, meanwhile, backed both players to play an important part in the club’s future, commenting: "Aron has excelled in white-ball cricket and consistently performed as our spin option alongside Simon Harmer.

"His figures this year are a testament to the hard work he has put in and he’ll only continue to get better over the next two years at the club.

"Paul has developed into an impressive county cricketer following his step up from Essex League cricket during my first year at the club.

"He has an important role to play for us over the next two years, especially following the departure of Ryan ten Doeschate. I believe he can stake a real claim in our middle order if he continues to work hard and apply his skills like I know he can."