By Dave Buxton
March 17 2003

Essex overseas star Andy Flower has confirmed that he will be available to play for the whole of the 2003 season. This is just a confirmation, after announcing his retirement from international cricket last week.

Flower Available For Whole Season For Essex

The Zimbabwean will join the Essex team for part of the pre-season tour to South Africa and will then be available for the opening first-class match of the season against Cambridge University, starting on Saturday 12th April at Fenner's and all games thereafter.

Essex Chief Executive David East commented: "We agreed with Andy for him to return as our senior overseas player during the 2003 season once his Zimbabwe cricket commitments were finished. Andy announced his retirement from international cricket last week which means that he is now available for all our domestic season. This is a huge bonus for the Club and we look forward to welcoming him back in a few weeks time."

One of the best batsman in the world, Flower retired after Zim's last World Cup match defeat to Sri Lanka on Saturday. He couldn't leave on a big score, being denied that by an awful lbw decision, clearly edging the ball onto his pads when on 38. Still, he leaves the international arena with a Test average of over 50 and a one-day average in the high 30's, a record that can't be argued against.

It's obviously a big bonus to have one of the world greats with us for the whole season and his experience in the dressing room and on the field as well as his high talents will boost Essex once again.

And now he's retired from playing for Zim, he's even more fully focused on Essex, so us fans are mightly pleased and bowling attacks - beware again!

Source:Essex CCC Official Website

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Date: 17/3/03

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