Mickleburgh commits to Essex

Essex have awarded young batsman Jaik Mickleburgh a two-year contract extension, taking him up to the end of the 2010 season.

The 18-year-old had previously been on an academy-professional contract but has been upgraded following a fine 2008 campaign.

Mickleburgh began the season in the second XI – scoring 344 runs at 49.14 in the Second XI Championship and 231 runs at 33 as one of only two ever-presents in Essex’s Second XI Trophy campaign that took them all the way to the final.

Jaik Mickleburgh has made an impressive start to his career

That form was rewarded when he was called up for the first XI to make his LV County Championship debut against Leicestershire in August – scoring 60 in his maiden innings. The Norfolk-born batsman followed that up with 72 in his next match against Warwickshire at the Ford County Ground last week.

Mickleburgh said: “I believe this contract is a reward for my progress over the year, including my performances in the seconds. I then couldn’t have asked for a better start to my first XI career and hopefully I can do that on a consistent basis.

“Making my debut for a team that I’ve been working my way towards for years was obviously the highlight of my year but that was topped off by scoring a half-century on debut.”

Mickleburgh is due to spend the winter in Australia at Paul Terry’s cricket academy from mid-October to mid-February, although his stay there would be cut short if he was selected for the England Under-19s trip to South Africa at the start of 2009.

Mickleburgh added: “I played regional cricket when I was younger but I’ve never received England recognition to date. Making runs in 1st XI cricket is bound to get you noticed more so hopefully that will push my chances of selection.”