Maurice Chambers, the 20-year-old fast bowler, has signed a one-year extension with Essex to take him up to the end of the 2009 season.

Chambers, born in Jamaica, received British Citizenship in July and is continuing his rehabilitation from a lumbar-spine stress fracture which meant he missed most of the 2007 season.

However, he has made good enough progress to be a part of the ECB’s fast-bowling skills set at the National Cricket Centre in Loughborough for the second winter running.

“Last season was really frustrating for me because of my injury but I’m already looking forward to next season,” he said. “It’s going to be a crucial year for me because I will need to perform at my best

“When I start the skills-set at Loughborough on Monday I will be taking it gently but hope to be bowling flat out again by the time of Essex’s pre-season tour to Dubai in March.

“By the end of this new contract I aim to have done enough to be considered for the England A team and also to get my county cap.”