Pettini extends Essex contract

Mark Pettini, the Essex captain, has extended his contract with the club by two years.

"I'm very pleased to finally put pen to paper on a new contract," he told the club's website. "I've been trying to sort this out most of the season but it was a busy summer so I'm delighted to have now secured my future with Essex.

"This contract puts a cap on a successful and very enjoyable year."

Pettini leaves for Australia at the end of the October, where he will divide his time between Darwin and Perth, before returning to England in the middle of January to continue his preparations for next season.