Essex hand contract to youngster Josh Rymell ahead of 2020 season

The county champions rewarded the 18-year-old with a 12-month deal after enjoying good progress last term

• County Championship 2020 fixtures
• Harmer signs new deal

Josh Rymell has won a rookie contract with county champions Essex for the duration of the 2020 season.

The 18-year-old made 19 outings for the Chelmsford club's second XI in 2019, averaging 26.56 with the bat.

Rymell is currently sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury which he suffered last August.

But he is on course to recover in time to join Anthony McGrath's men on their pre-season tour in Abu Dhabi in March.

"I’m absolutely over the moon to sign my first contract with Essex," he admitted.

"It really means a lot to me and my family and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and learning from some of the best around.

"Hopefully this is the start of a long and successful journey for me with the club."

Like many of their rivals, Essex have been busy in the off-season securing the future of many of their star names.

Simon Harmer, who inspired Essex to the title with 83 wickets before starring in the T20 Blast final, has agreed to a new deal while Adam Zampa will return as an overseas player.

Fellow-Australian Peter Siddle is also on course to return to Essex, having retired from international cricket before the turn of the year.