Simon Harmer signs Essex contract extension

The South African spinner took 83 wickets to help guide the Chelmsford club to the Division One title last season

Essex have confirmed spinner Simon Harmer has signed a new one-year contract extension.

The 30-year-old will now stay with the Chelmsford club until the end of the 2022 season.

Harmer took 83 wickets last term to guide Essex to their second County Championship title in three years.

He also played a key role as the Eagles completed a famous double by winning the T20 Blast.

Those heroics saw him recognised with a flurry of awards, scooping the Cricket Writers' Club County Championship Player of the Year and PCA County Championship Player of the Year prizes.

“I’m really excited to sign an extension and commit my future to this great club," said Harmer, who played five Tests for South Africa but has ambitions of representing England.

T20 Blast Finals Day was just one of many reminders of how lucky I am to do this

“From the moment I arrived three years ago, I was made to feel part of the group and at ease in Chelmsford, and it is now a place I consider my home, so it was an easy decision for me to make.

“We’ve just had a phenomenal season and everybody at the Club is hungry for more success. We’ve now set the bar as to where we want to be as a Club. There’s a lot of hard work ahead of us, but I’m confident that with the squad we have we can defend our titles and be a dominant force for years to come.”

Head coach Anthony McGrath added: “Simon is an outstanding bowler and arguably the best off-spinner in the world, who can change a game whenever he has the ball in his hands.

“He’s played a massive part in our success since arriving at the club and his importance in the dressing room can’t be overlooked either. He’s a leader both on and off the pitch and it’s wonderful news for everyone involved with Essex that he’s going to be here for the foreseeable future.”

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