Feroze Khushi signs one-year contract extension at Essex

Khushi, born just 25 miles from The Cloud County Ground in Whipps Cross, is a graduate of the Essex academy and has been a part of the Eagles’ first XI since making his first-class debut in 2020.

The 24-year-old followed his red-ball bow in August that year with his T20 debut seven weeks later, before completing the set with a maiden Essex List A appearance the following year.

Over the last three years, he has totalled over 1,500 runs for the Eagles, with his all-format prowess indicated by his red-ball high score of 164, a List A average above 45, and a T20 strike rate of just under 130.

He has continued to flourish in 2023 and, despite a hand injury keeping him out of action for six weeks of the summer, chalked up five half-centuries across all three formats this year.

“I’m delighted to extend my contract with Essex for another year, and I think this has come at the perfect time for me,” he said.

“With the season I’ve had, where I’ve scored more T20 runs than ever before, I’m feeling really good about my career at the moment, and even though I’ve had to endure some tough moments during the season with injury, I’ve pushed through those and come back stronger.

“My focus now is getting my head down and repaying the faith which the club have placed in me for another year by both building even more on this season and hopefully winning Essex some trophies.”

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath added: “We’re really happy Feroze has signed on with us – it’s always great when you can bring local players right through from the academy to the first team.

“Feroze has certainly shown us what he’s capable of this season and has been a valuable member of the squad.

“W all know there’s a lot more to come from him, and we’re really excited to work with him going forward as we look to make him the best possible cricketer he can be.”

Aron Nijjar, Will Buttleman, Josh Rymell and Eshun Kalley will all leave Essex at the end of the current season.

Left-arm spinner Nijjar, 28, has played a total of 78 matches for Essex across all three formats since his first-class debut in 2015, taking 81 wickets at an overall average of 37.58.

Opening batter Rymell, 22, has made 22 appearances for the Eagles and scored 475 runs, the bulk of which have come in List A cricket where he averages 28.53.

Wicketkeeper-batter Buttleman, 23, has participated mostly in the white-ball arena, averaging 17.45 across List A and T20 cricket but has also made five first-class appearances, scoring 141 runs and claiming 20 victims.

Seamer Kalley, 21, has played in only one first-class match, against Ireland earlier this year, and appeared mostly for the Essex 2nd XI, where he has taken 15 wickets this season.