Flower agrees two-year deal with Essex

Andy Flower has agreed a new two-year deal with Essex. Flower, 35, retired from international cricket after the 2003 World Cup. He has dual nationality and becomes qualified to play as a non-overseas player next season.

David East, Essex's chief executive, said: "Andy has been a model overseas player for the last two seasons and, following the conclusion of his international career, we are delighted he has signed a two-year contract with us. He has a British passport and will play in Essex as a local player, which obviously enables us to keep our second overseas player option open having already secured Scott Brant for 2004."

Flower joined Essex in 2002 and made an immediate impact, scoring over 1000 runs with an average over fifty, and helped Essex to promotion in both the Frizzell County Championship and the National League. This year, Flower recently passed the 1000-run mark again, despite Essex's struggle in the Championship.