Grant Flower signs contract extension

Essex allrounder Grant Flower has extended his contract with the county for another year, taking him up to the end of the 2009 season.

"Halfway through the season I thought that would probably be it, but I'm very happy to be staying at Essex," Flower said. "Sussex did speak to me but I always thought that if Essex offered me something I would stay.

"They are a good bunch of guys at Essex and I've been here for four years, so at this stage in my career I wouldn't want to move on, ideally.

"There is a good spirit and winning culture at Essex and I don't see why we can't get better. With the young guys coming through, and new signings, in theory we should be stronger with more competition for places."