Michael Pepper signs contract extension with Essex

Pepper has scored 1,119 runs in 52 appearances for Essex since making his debut in 2018

Michael Pepper has signed a contract extension with Essex which will keep him at the club until the end of 2025.

The 24-year-old has scored 1,119 runs in 52 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2018.

Pepper has established himself as regular starter in the T20 Blast, scoring 801 runs at a strike rate of 140.28 in 36 appearances.

In 2022, he was the club's leading run-scorer in the competition, contributing 439 runs at a strike rate of 163.19, form which earned him a contract with Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

He also featured twice in the LV= Insurance County Championship last season.

^{Pepper's form in 2022 earned him a stint with Northern Superchargers in The Hundred [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

Commenting on committing his future to Essex, Pepper said: "Last season couldn't have gone much better for me in short-format cricket.

"It's quite a new role for me in the T20 side but it's one I really enjoy, it suits my style of play and I was happy to contribute to some great team performances.

"We made giant strides as a unit last year and the next step for us is to push for that second T20 trophy. We certainly believe that we have the players and plans in place to do so."

Head coach, Anthony McGrath, said: "Michael really flourished in the T20 tournament last season. We asked him to perform a more aggressive role and pushed him up the order and he delivered just as we knew he could.

"It's always exciting to watch a batter with such a vast array of shots, but importantly it makes him incredibly difficult to set a field to as he can access any part of the ground.

"He's had a taste of franchise cricket as well now and he's still a young man so I'll be keen to see how his game develops over the next few seasons."