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.�.�