CHELMSFORD (England), June 15: Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has signed a new one-year contract with English County Essex for the 2008 season.

Presently, Kaneria is in his third season with the county, having first played for them in the 2004 season.His start this summer has been nice. With 44 wickets, he is the leading domestic wicket-taker in the County Championship, helping Essex to third position in the Second Division.

The accomplishment has rubbed off into the shorter form of the game as well, and he has taken 18 wickets in the Friends Provident Trophy.

Kaneria said of his new deal: “I’m delighted because I love to be with the Essex team. I am an Essex man now and enjoy being over here.

“By the grace of God all of the negotiations with Chief Executive David East have gone well and I’ve been signed again for the coming year with Essex.

“I’m learning day by day and getting better all the time. In the years to come I hope to give better performances than I am giving now to take this team on the winning track all the time,” he added.

East was also pleased over the one-year extension.

“We are obviously very pleased that Kaneria has decided to play for Essex again in 2008. He is a world-class player who is doing a fabulous job and is clearly enjoying his cricket. Kaneria’s return next year is, as always, subject to the agreement of the Pakistan Cricket Board.”—Agencies