The former Zimbabwe all-rounder initially joined the County for the 2005 and 2006 seasons, under the Kolpak ruling. Flower retired from international cricket shortly before, after 67 Test and 219 ODI appearances. The experienced campaigner’s all-round qualities have proved particularly effective in limited-overs cricket, with over 6000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs. Flower is in his second stint of county cricket after a short spell with Leicestershire in 2002. His one Championship century of the 2005 season came against Lancashire at Old Trafford, coinciding with a ton from brother Andy to become the first siblings to reach three figures in the same match for Essex. But it was in the one-day arena where the younger Flower really shone. As leading run-scorer and third-highest wicket-taker, his role in Essex’s totesport League campaign was integral. Found himself in the 2nd XI for much of the opening half of the 2006 season before forcing his way back into the first-team to turn in some handy performances as the campaign went on. His versatility as a reliable team man earned him another two-year contract to take him through to the end of the 2008 season. Flower’s 2007 highlight came in June when he struck 203 – his highest score for the County – against Northamptonshire at The Ford County Ground.