Skipper Pettini commits to Essex

Essex captain Mark Pettini has capped a fine first full season in charge by signing a two-year contract extension until the end of the 2011 season.

The 25-year-old, whose existing deal was due to expire at the end of next summer, led Essex to the Friends Provident Trophy and the NatWest Pro40 Division Two title this year.

The right-handed batsman took over the captaincy midway through the 2007 season following Ronnie Irani’s retirement due to injury.

Mark Pettini celebrates leading Essex to the NatWest Pro40 Division Two title this season

Pettini said: “I’m very pleased to finally put pen to paper on a new contract. 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 made steady progress with the bat in 2008 with a solid contribution in all forms of the game. This included 674 runs in the LV County Championship at an average of 32.

He began the season with a blistering 144 off 120 balls against Surrey in the Friends Provident Trophy but failed to reach three figures again.

He added: “My runs tally was better [than in 2007] so I was fairly pleased with that, particularly at the start of both the NatWest Pro40 and the Friends Provident Trophy.

"It’s important to look at how many games you help to win and I definitely had an effect in more games.”

Pettini leaves for Australia at the end of the month, 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.