One more year at Essex for Flower

Even at 38, Grant Flower has remained a key component of Essex's one-day and Twenty20 plans this season

Former Zimbabwe all-rounder Grant Flower has extended his association with Essex by signing a new one-year contract.

The 38-year-old brother of England coach Andy Flower, and a veteran of 67 Tests and 210 one-day internationals, will stay at Chelmsford until the end of 2010, bringing his time with the county to six years.

Flower said: “It is a real pleasure to be extending my stay with Essex for another season. There is still plenty of cricket left to play this season and we need to get back to winning ways.”

Essex first-team coach Paul Grayson added: “I am delighted that Grant is staying with us for another season. He consistently offers us so much in one-day cricket and also with the Second XI.

“Grant is one of the best professionals I have worked with at Essex and is a highly respected member of the squad.”

Flower hit six Test centuries, including an unbeaten 201 in Harare against Pakistan in 1995.

He retired from international cricket in 2004 as the relationship between the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and its senior white players continued to unravel.

Flower produced timely knocks to help Essex secure a one-day double in 2009, winning the Friends Provident Trophy and the NatWest Pro40 Division Two title.