 Flower briefly played for Leicestershire in the 2002 season |
Leading Zimbabwe rebel Grant Flower has signed a two-year contract to play for Essex from 2005, where he will join brother Andy in the batting line-up. The 33-year-old is eligible to play for Essex under the 'Kolpak' ruling, so will not be classed as an overseas player for the county.
Essex boss David East said: "Grant is a very talented cricketer who will bring an added dimension to our upper order.
"He is a brilliant fielder and provides us with another spin-bowling option."
Flower, who has announced his retirement from international cricket, played 67 Test matches and 219 one-day games for Zimbabwe.
 | THE KOLPAK RULING Any citizen of a country that has an associate agreement with the EU is now granted the same rights as a European worker |
He was a key figurehead in the struggle between the white Zimbabwean players who rallied behind sacked skipper Heath Streak and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.
Flower will join up with his older brother Andy at Essex, in what will be his second spell in county cricket after a short stint with Leicestershire in 2002.
A veteran of 67 Tests, Flower hit 3,457 runs at an average of 29.54 and also took 25 wickets.
He played 219 one-day internationals, scoring 6,536 runs at 33.69.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 