Left-arm spinner Panesar agreed a two-year deal with the others accepting one-year contracts. All will now stay at the club until the end of 2007.

"The club has shown progress with the younger players taking their chances and excelling in pressure situations," said chief executive Mark Tagg.

"The squad for 2006 is starting to take shape with quality throughout."

Tagg went on: "We are confident that with Bilal, Riki and Monty committed to the club we can look forward to some exhilarating cricket in the seasons to come."

Shafayat is a former England under-19 captain who moved from Nottinghamshire at the end of 2004 while Wessels, the son of club coach Kepler, is making his mark as the wicketkeeper-batsman.