Born in South Africa, of Dutch descent, Ryan joined the county in June 2003. A hard hitting batsman and skiddy bowler, he is an accomplished all-rounder and match winner for both Club and Country.

He has been the star act in Dutch cricket since 2006 when he recorded the highest score in the Intercontinental Cup hitting an unbeaten 259 and he finished with the extraordinary average of 228.66 including four successive centuries. He was also Netherlands' leading wicket taker in the tournament.

His thrilling unbeaten 108 not out from 58 balls proved defining when Essex beat Derbyshire in the final match of the 2009 season to return to the top-flight of Championship cricket and he also played major part in helping Netherlands reach the 2011 World Cup.

Wearied by 12-months of virtual non-stop cricket, Ryan struggled with his domestic form for a while last summer and was rested for a fortnight before bouncing back with a century on his return to Championship action in August.

The following month saw him named the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year for the third time in four years and for the second year running.