Ten Doeschate extends Essex stay

24 October 2008

Netherlands international Ryan ten Doeschate has signed a one-year contract extension with Essex.

The 28-year-old all-rounder’s new deal commits him to the county until the end of the 2011 season.

Ten Doeschate played an integral part in the Eagles' two one-day successes in 2008 - victory in the Friends Provident Trophy final over Kent, and the NatWest Pro40 Division Two title.

He said: “The club has a good idea of the direction it wants to take, and I hope to be a core part of that.

“So this further extension shows they have a lot of faith in me. This is where I want to play my cricket so I’m very happy to cement my future here.

“I’ve worked out a way of improving my game and, apart from numeric goals, my main aim is to contribute. I’ve been able to do that more and more as each season has gone on at Essex and that is the path I want to continue."

Ryan ten Doeschate hooks during his 30 in the Friends Provident Trophy final at Lord's

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Ten Doeschate, who was born in Port Elizabeth, will return to South Africa over the winter ahead of a possible tour with the Dutch.

“I’ll be spending a bit of time recuperating in Cape Town before following plans from the coaching staff over the winter to keep looking for ways to improve.

“There is the possibility of a tour with the Netherlands and then it’s back to England for mid-February to get ready for our pre-season trip to Dubai.”

Ten Doeschate contributed in all forms of the game for Essex, producing a number of crucial innings along the way – none more so than in the Friends Provident Trophy Final against Kent Spitfires at Lord’s in August.

He struck 30 not out in an unbeaten stand of 57 for the sixth-wicket with Grant Flower to win the match.

He also scored two first-class centuries, against Cambridge UCCE and Derbyshire, along with 94 not out against Worcestershire.

Ten Doeschate was a vital part of Essex's seam attack, taking 36 wickets at 25 in the LV County Championship and 13 inexpensive wickets in the Twenty20 Cup.

In addition, he also claimed an Essex career-best of 6-57 in the tour match against New Zealand at Chelmsford in May.

Ten Doeschate is considered one of the most talented players outside of the Test-playing nations, and he capped a fine year when he was named as the associate player of the year at the ICC awards in Dubai in September.