Grant Flower extends Essex contract

Grant Flower, the former Zimbabwe allrounder, has signed a new contract with Essex which will keep him at the county until the end of the 2010 season.

"It is a real pleasure to be extending my stay with Essex for another season," Flower said. "There is still plenty of cricket left to play this season and we need to get back to winning ways."

Paul Grayson, the Essex coach, was delighted with Flower's contract extension. "Grant is one of the best professionals I have worked with at Essex and is a highly respected member of the squad," Grayson said. "He consistently offers us so much in one-day cricket and also with the second XI."

The next season will be Flower's sixth year with Essex. He played a key role in them winning the Friends Provident Trophy and the NatWest Pro40 Division Two title in 2009.