Essex have finally confirmed that Australian Test batsman Mark Waugh will play for the club in their final four matches of the domestic season.

The news comes exactly a week after Waugh, 37, told journalists in Sydney that he had signed a short contract to represent Essex for the fifth time since 1988.

The current overseas player at Chelmsford, Andy Flower, will join up with Zimbabwe at the start of September for the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.

Waugh, however, is no longer part of the Australian one-day squad, so like his brother who will be at Kent at the same time, he is free to play county cricket.

Essex chief executive David East said: "We are delighted that Mark will be returning to us.

"Andy Flower has done a fantastic job this summer and will be greatly missed in September, but with Mark supporting our push for promotion in the last four games of the season we have high hopes of success."

Waugh will join Essex on 9 September in time for the Championship match starting against Durham at Riverside two days later.

He averages just under 60 in first class cricket for Essex.

"I am really looking forward to my return to Essex," said the elegant right-hander.

"I have always enjoyed playing for the Club and I hope that I can help them achieve promotion in both league competitions this season."

Waugh will need to make an immediate impact, however, since he will only be available for two Championship and two one-day matches.