Plagued by injuries for many years, Tudor, who took 28 wickets in his ten Test appearances, was released by Surrey at the end of the last season after being restricted to a handful of first-team matches in 2004.

It is ten years since Tudor made his county championship debut as a genuinely quick 17-year-old, when he made an immediate impact and was soon fast-tracked on to an England tour, to Australia in 1998-99. He made an impressive Test debut in Perth and the next summer underlined his all-round capability with an unbeaten 99 in the Edgbaston Test against New Zealand, the highest score made by an England nightwatchman.

While Tudor has still to play 100 first-class matches, 13 five-wicket hauls, including one against Australia (five for 44 at Trent Bridge in 2001), are testimony to his penetration when fully fit. He is no longer as quick as he was, but Graham Gooch, the Essex coach, believes that he has plenty to offer.

“This is a good signing for Essex,” Gooch said. “Alex is an international quality player and good team man. It goes without saying he’s had a few injury problems, but we are hopeful of him making a major contribution when he’s back to full fitness.

“I was England manager on his first full tour, to Australia, and had nothing but praise for the way he conducted himself, both on and off the field. He’ll be well motivated to prove his doubters wrong.”

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