Jimmy Neesham extends Essex stay for Royal London Cup

Neesham could also face Derbyshire in the LV= Insurance County Championship on Sunday

Jimmy Neesham has extended his stay with Essex and will be available for much of the county’s Royal London Cup campaign.

The New Zealander initially signed to represent the club in the T20 Blast but, following Peter Siddle’s return to Australia for personal reasons, the allrounder will fill his void as Essex’s second overseas player to Simon Harmer.

Neesham could also face Derbyshire in the LV= Insurance County Championship on Sunday.

His call-up for The Hundred as a late signing by Welsh Fire means that he will miss the first three rounds of the Royal London Cup, but he will then stay at Essex until the conclusion of the 50-over competition.

Neesham said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Chelmsford so far, so when the opportunity to stay on a bit longer came up, I didn’t have to think twice.

“There’s a lot of talent in that dressing room and I’m excited to play in the different formats with the guys.

“With any luck, we’ll be able to replicate some of the recent success the club has had and bring some more silverware to The Cloudfm County Ground.”

In the meantime, Essex will be under the stewardship of assistant coach Andre Nel, with Anthony McGrath called up by England as part of the makeshift national side’s coaching setup for the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan.