Law to return to Lancashire in 2004

Stuart Law has renewed his contract with Lancashire and will be back at Old Trafford for the 2004 season.

Law, 34, joined Lancashire at the end of 2001 after an acrimonious departure from Essex, and was initially on a two-year contract. But he has enjoyed a productive couple of years with the bat, especially this season, in which he finished with 1820 runs at an average of 91 - more than 300 more runs than his nearest challenger, Sussex's Murray Goodwin.

Speaking at an awards ceremony at Old Trafford last night, in which he was honoured as Lancashire's Player of the Year, Law paid tribute to his team mates and their cricket manager, Mike Watkinson. "It's been a great couple of years for me here," he said. " I've enjoyed every minute, plus to work with such a great bunch of lads and Winker [Watkinson], I couldn't have asked for more. I'm really looking forward to next season and helping the club to win more accolades."