Kaneria signs new one-year deal

Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, has signed a new one-year contract with Essex for the 2008 season.

Kaneria is currently in his third season with the county, having first played for them in the 2004 season. His start this summer has been impressive: with 44 wickets, he is the leading domestic wicket-taker in the County Championship, helping Essex to third place in the second division. The success has rubbed off into the shorter form of the game as well, and he has taken 18 wickets in the Friends Provident Trophy.

Kaneria said of his new deal: "I'm delighted because I love to be with the Essex team. I am an Essex man now and enjoy being over here. By the grace of God all of the negotiations with [chief executive] David East have gone well and I've been signed again for the coming year with Essex.

"I'm learning day by day and getting better all the time. In the years to come I hope to give better performances than I am giving now to take this team on the winning track all the time."

East reciprocated the sentiment, expressing his pleasure at the one-year extension. "We are obviously very pleased that Danish has decided to play for Essex again in 2008. Danish is a world-class player who is doing a fabulous job and is clearly enjoying his cricket - which is evident from his results and the smile on his face. Danish's return next year is, as always, subject to the agreement of the Pakistan Cricket Board."