Only way is Essex for Craddock

Want to know what's happening at your county? Interested in how your rivals are faring? Look no further than ecb.co.uk's county-by-county page

Paul Grayson saluted the "huge impact" made by trialist Tom Craddock, while highlighting Tymal Mills' promising future

Essex trialist Tom Craddock has won a two-year contract that will keep him at Chelmsford until the end of the 2013 season.

The 22-year-old leg-spinner, who joined the club in June after impressing for the Unicorns in the Clydesdale Bank 40, has taken 19 wickets at an average of 24.31 in five LV= County Championship matches.

The news comes on the same day that 19-year-old left-arm seamer Tymal Mills signed a two-year deal.

“I’m absolutely delighted with signing a two-year contract with Essex as this is something I have been working towards for a while now,” Craddock said.

“I have fitted in to the group really well and there is an excellent set of lads at Essex who have made me feel very welcome. It’s a great team and it’s good to now be fully part of it.

“Looking ahead, my main focus is to cement my spot across all squads and help the team push for promotion to Division One and win some silverware.”

Essex head coach Paul Grayson said: “He has made a huge impact within the side and now I’m looking forward to working closely with him and developing his skills further as an Essex player.”

Mills, an England Under-19 international, progressed through the ranks at Essex to make his first-team bow against the Sri Lankans in June.

He has since played two LV= County Championship games, taking 3-48 in the first of those, against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

“I am very pleased to have signed my new contract with Essex as the hard work I have put in this year has now paid off for me,” said Mills.

“I am excited about looking forward and continuing to work hard throughout the winter, then establishing a regular place in the squad next season.”

Grayson added: “We are really pleased with the progress Tymal has made since coming into the first-team set-up. He is a player with genuine pace and he has showed excellent work with bowling coach Chris Silverwood.

“We are hoping for bigger and better things from Tymal and he is a big part of the future at Essex, and this is why we offered him a two-year contract.”