COUNTY CRICKET: ESSEX bowler Tim Phillips has signed a new one-year contract with the club. The left-arm spinner has been at Essex for 14 years, making his debut in 1999.

Phillips, 32, made 25 appearances last season where he was predominantly used as a one-day specialist in the Yorkshire Bank 40 and Friends Life t20 competitions.

Phillips said: “I am very pleased to have signed a new contract with the club for a further year. I’m looking ahead to next year and having a good pre-season, which I can take into the new campaign.”

Essex head coach Paul Grayson said: “We are pleased that Tim has signed a new contract.

“He has shown the last few seasons how important he is in one-day cricket for us and as our specialist spin bowler, so I hope he continues this form going into the 2014 season.”