Browne and Richards extend Essex contracts

Nick Browne made his first-class debut for Essex in 2013

Essex batter Nick Browne and pace bowler Jamal Richards have signed new one-year deal for the 2025 county season.

Left-hander Browne has scored almost 9,000 runs in all formats, including 20 first-class centuries - four of them doubles.

He only played six County Championship games in 2024, with a best score of 184, as well as seven in the One-Day Cup.

Richards, 20, was Essex's leading wicket-taker in the 50-over competition with 15 at an average of 24.86.

Cricket committee chair Jason Gallian said Richards' performances in 2024 represented "a huge stride forward in his development".

Browne was born in the county in Leytonstone and was a member of the team which won the championship in 2017 and 2019 and the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020.

The latter was their most recent trophy success and this summer they finished fourth in Championship Division One after two wins and a draw in their final three games of the season.

"I’m still as hungry as ever for runs, and I’m keen to make my Testimonial Year one to remember on the field too," said Browne.

Jamal Richards has yet to play for Essex in the County Championship and T20 Blast