ESSEX all-rounder Grant Flower will become the new batting coach at Zimbabwe when the next English domestic season ends.

The 39-year-old flew out to Zimbabwe last week for an interview and was given the role to work for his home country.

Flower will play his final season for Essex after joining the county in 2005. He has gone on to become a firm favourite with the Essex faithful, but the Harare-born star is looking forward to the next phase of his career.

He said: “At the end of the season it will probably signal the end of my playing career and I do not want to have any regrets. I start my new role with Zimbabwe in October and have the main objective of helping them reach Test status once again.

“I have had five great years at Essex and I am looking forward to my sixth season and want to give everything that I have.

“The Essex fans, the club, staff and players have been brilliant and I am very much looking forward to the season ahead.”

By Staff reporter and agencies