Masters undergoes groin surgery

David Masters, the Essex seamer, is on course for his 17th consecutive season of first-class cricket after undergoing a successful operation to repair a damaged ligament in his groin.

The procedure, which took place on Monday, improves the chances of Masters, 37, fulfilling the one-year extension to his contract that he signed back in June.

"We are happy with David's progress following the procedure, and it is planned for him to be back bowling in the New Year," said Chris Clarke-Irons, Essex's head of athlete development & lead physio.

Masters, who missed the final month of the 2015 season, has not played a first-class match for Essex since going wicketless during their innings defeat against Kent at Tunbridge Wells in July.

Since moving to Chelmsford from Leicestershire in 2008, Masters has claimed 396 first-class wickets at 21.72 in 104 matches, including 93 at 18.13 in a stellar season in 2011.

However, last season's haul of 20 wickets at 30.30 was his lowest since 2004.