Tim Phillips, the Essex left-arm spinner, has signed a deal that will keep him at Chelmsford until 2009. He took 60 wickets in all cricket during 2006 but will face more competition next summer with Danish Kaneria due back as an overseas player.

"To be given this new contract is another reflection of how I've progressed this year," said Phillips. "Now that I've established myself I want to push on by taking more wickets, scoring more runs and generally improving on what I've done this year."

"Hopefully I can still do that with (fellow spinners) Danish Kaneria and James Middlebrook also here and playing for places."