ESSEX duo Tom Craddock and Reece Topley have both signed new two-year extensions to their contracts which will keep them at The Essex County Ground until the end of the 2014 season.

East Anglian Daily Times: Essex bowler Tom Craddock, who has signed a contract extension with the countyEssex bowler Tom Craddock, who has signed a contract extension with the county

Topley, 19, has come through the Academy ranks at Essex and made his first-team debut in 2010. He has since progressed through the England Development Programme and was a member of the England Lions squad during their recent tour of Australia.

Essex head coach Paul Grayson said: “Reece is one of the most exciting young bowlers in the country and had a great season in 2012, especially in the Friends Life t20 competition.

“He is a dedicated and hard-working player who will hopefully go on to take many wickets for the club in the years to come.”

Leg-spin specialist bowler Craddock has also secured an extension with the club, who he joined in 2011.

Craddock has so far played 23 matches for Essex and Grayson sees the 2013 season as an important year for the Yorkshire-born player.

Grayson said: “Tom is another young player coming from a crop of talent at the club and is improving all the time. Last summer was frustrating for him with the weather but after a successful winter in Melbourne with Bryce McGain, I am hoping he has a good season ahead of him.”

The news comes just three days after the announcement that Essex have secured Australian fast-bowler Shaun Tait for this summer’s Friends Life t20 competition and that Adam Wheater has left the county to further his career as a wicket-keeper at Hampshire.