Michael Comber

Colchester-born allrounder Michael Comber is a product of Essex's youth system and spent six seasons at the county's academy before signing an Academy-Professional contract ahead of the 2009 summer. Back and ankle injuries hampered his bowling, but his batting continued to develop in the second XI and in May 2010 he made his first-class debut against the touring Bangladeshis. Essex had offered him full professional terms by this stage, and he responded with an unbeaten 52 to help beat Northamptonshire in the CB40 before being handed his Championship debut in the final match of the season against Durham. However, his progress stalled and he was released by Essex at the end of the 2012 season, in which he made four limited-overs appearances.
Liam Brickhill