Tom Westley extends contract at Essex by two years

Stalwart - Tom Westley has signed a new two-year contract with Essex County Cricket Club <i>(Image: TGS PHOTO)</i>
Stalwart - Tom Westley has signed a new two-year contract with Essex County Cricket Club (Image: TGS PHOTO)
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TOM Westley says it is a 'huge honour' to sign a two-year contract extension with Essex County Cricket Club.

Club captain Westley has penned a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027 season.

Westley's new deal also includes a Testimonial Year, recognising his outstanding contributions to the club for services both on and off the field.

The 36-year-old has made more than 500 appearances in all formats, scoring 41 club centuries and hitting more than 21,000 runs, overtaking Ravi Bopara as Essex’s leading run scorer in the modern era.

Westley said: "It is a huge honour to sign this extension with the club that I care so much about.

"I have been at Essex for over two decades and have experienced the highs and the lows. It is a place that has given me so much and allowed me to live my dream.

"It hurts me to see the position we are currently in, fighting to stay in division one and not winning trophies. All I have ever wanted was to win games for Essex and contribute to silverware.

"I hope that over the course of these next years I can be integral in doing that once more.

"Thank you to the members and fans for your unwavering support, it truly is what makes Essex such a special place."

Westley joined the Essex Academy in 2003 and has since become a cornerstone of the club.

His maiden first-class century came at just 17 years old, when he struck 132 against Derbyshire.

Over two decades with Essex, Westley has been a true multi-format player, dedicating himself to red-ball, List A, and T20 cricket, where he has become a natural leader and role model for team-mates and future generations.

(Image: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo)

He has led Essex since his appointment as club captain in January 2020, winning the Bob Willis Trophy in his first year as captain.

In red-ball cricket, Westley has played 231 first-class matches for Essex, scoring 12,935 runs at an average of 36.43, including a career-best 254 against Worcestershire.

His prolific form in 2017 earned him a call-up to the England Men’s Test squad, where he scored a maiden Test half-century on debut against South Africa at The Oval.

He went on to play five Tests that summer, becoming one of only 33 Essex players to represent England at Test level.

Westley has also enjoyed an excellent record in the shorter formats.

In List A cricket, he has scored just under 4,500 runs at an average of 41.50, to crown him the all-time leading run scorer in One Day Cup history.

In T20, he has accumulated 2,536 runs across 95 innings, averaging more than 30 with a highest score of 109 not out. In 2019, Westley played a pivotal role as Essex achieved a remarkable double, lifting the Vitality Blast and County Championship trophies.

Essex director of cricket Chris Silverwood added: “It’s great to have Tom committing to another two years with Essex.

"Tom has been an integral member of the squad for many years, bringing a wealth of experience and a strong desire to help the club continue moving forward and achieving success.

"I’m very pleased he has agreed to a new contract and I look forward to working with him more."

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