Maunders pens Essex deal

Batsman John Maunders has signed a contract for the 2009 season with Essex.

The 27-year-old opener spent the second half of the 2008 season on an extended trial with the county, impressing in the Second XI before earning a call-up to the first team in the final weeks of the campaign.

Maunders averaged 43 in three LV County Championship matches, including one fifty and a century on his home debut - against Warwickshire at Chelmsford in September.

The left-hander is now with his third county, having started at Middlesex before spending five years at Leicestershire between 2003 and 2007.

John Maunders spent last season at Essex after he was released by Leicestershire

First-team coach Paul Grayson said: “John brings with him a sound, solid game. He performed well at the end of the season, when he was playing for a contract, which shows he can perform under pressure.

“Everyone deserves another chance and we feel John is ready to grasp his after a year out of the county game [following his release from Leicester].

"John has guaranteed me he will work hard over the winter to come back as fit as he can possibly be for next season.”

Grayson is happy with the way his squad is shaping up for next season after skipper Mark Pettini, England batsman Alastair Cook, all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate and seam bowler Maurice Chambers signed new deals.

Diminutive batsman Matthew Walker has joined from Kent although paceman Alex Tudor has returned to Surrey.

Grayson added: “I’m very comfortable with our bowling for next year – Danish Kaneria is due to come back [subject to permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board] and our back-up is strong – but we struggled for batting points last season.

“As a result we are delighted to have been able to add two good players in John Maunders and Matt Walker, from Kent, who are both ready for a fresh challenge.

"Their arrivals will increase the competition at the top of the order – which is what we want.”