At a time when many counties are bemoaning the fact that their overseas players are arriving late or leaving early to fulfil international commitments, Essex have announced that their 2002 signing, Andy Flower from Zimbabwe, is actually going to arrive early.

Australia's tour to Zimbabwe had been scheduled to take place once the one-day international series against South Africa had been completed. However, with that tour postponed in the light of the political uncertainties in Zimbabwe, Flower has been given permission by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to travel to England three weeks earlier than expected. He is now scheduled to be in Chelmsford on April 15th.

Chief executive of Essex, David East, commented: "We are obviously thrilled that Andy is able to join us early. We were not expecting him to arrive until after the last Test match finished in Zimbabwe on 9th May, but this is a great bonus for the team.

"Andy will now be able to take part in the zonal rounds of the Benson and Hedges Cup, together with our early Championship matches against Gloucestershire and Nottinghamshire."

Flower was recently named as on of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year. Although he has experienced league cricket in Birmingham and spent a season coaching the Oxford University side, this is his first season of English county cricket.

© CricInfo