The quick bowler joined Essex in February 2005 on a performance-related contract after being released by Surrey at the end of the 2004 campaign. Tudor has won 10 Test caps to date following his England debut at Perth in November 1998. Has made telling contributions with bat as well as ball at the highest level, including a match-winning 99 not out against New Zealand at Edgbaston in 1999. After winning a string of domestic honours with Surrey, Tudor looked to revive his career at The Ford County Ground after suffering with injury problems.

His first year at Essex began promisingly but a serious knee injury sustained at Lancashire in the C&G Trophy meant he was forced to undergo surgery in June that kept him out for the remainder of the season. Returning to Essex in 2006 on a similar contract, he proved his fitness over the course of the season by featuring in 10 Championship matches in a row to end the campaign. Scores of 93 against Worcestershire and 144 against Derbyshire (as a nightwatchman) showed he also remains a highly-capable batsman.

Rewarded for his efforts with a further two-year contract with the County to take him up to the end of the 2008 season. Tudor featured in another 10 Championship matches in 2007 and will be aiming to form the nucleus of a new-look bowling attack with David Masters in 2008.