After making his first-class debut in 2005, the England Under-19 international has so far made five first-class appearances with a best bowling of for 72 against Somerset at Garon Park in 2006.

Westfield told the Essex CCC website: “With my injury I was worried that I might not get offered another contract so this has given me confidence in myself and shows that Essex have confidence in me.

"I’ve just started to bowl off a few steps at Loughborough so my main aim at the moment is to be bowling at full pace again by the time of our pre-season tour to Dubai [next March]. From there I want to start making inroads into the first team at Essex so that by the end of this contract I will have earned my first team cap – that’s my big aim and would be a big achievement.”

Essex's chief executive David East told the Essex CCC website: “Mervyn has had a very difficult year and such a serious injury can put considerable doubts in a player’s mind. We are totally committed to Mervyn and are sure that this extension to his agreement will give him the confidence to move forward in his career. We have high hopes, as I know he does.”