News Round-Up: Olonga & Flower
By Dave Buxton
March 20 2003
A brief news round-up of Essex related news, including Olonga not to sign for Essex and Andy Flower being signed by Aussie state team South Australia.
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The main news, is that despite rumours that he had been offered a chance to play with the county this season, it has been confirmed by Essex CCC that former Zimbabwean bowler Henry Olonga will not be joining Essex for 2003.
BBC Sport Olonga had said that Essex had offered the paceman a chance to play cricket this season, but it appears that this is not the case.
Chief Executive David East responded to the speculation by saying this on the ECCC official website:
"There has been a certain amount of speculation recently concerning a possible link between the Club and Zimbabwean Test bowler Henry Olonga. This is totally unfounded. Essex is only permitted to register two overseas players and these positions have been filled by Andy Flower and Scott Brant for the 2003 season."
Having said that, with Olonga seeking a future over here, he probably wouldn't have been classed as an overseas player and so that wouldn't have mattered.
Still, despite the experience Olonga could have brought to us this season, it perhaps isn't a bad thing he won't be coming. We have quality young pace bowlers (McGarry and Bishop to name two) that can do a job and will learn by playing and it's important that home grown talent is brought on.
Also, with the fact that Kent pub team Lashings have offered the Zimbabwean a contract to play guest matches for them, it seems that Olonga is ready to give up professional cricket for good and concentrate on his music career. If he had played, he might have had one mind on that too.
Source: ECCC Official Website
Meanwhile, our overseas star Andy Flower has also been signed by Aussie state side South Australia on a three-year contract.
After retiring from international cricket last week, Flower committed his talents to us for the whole of this season (as reported here) and is able to play for South Australia during our winter.
And of course, Essex can look forward now to the pre-season tour of South Africa, which they are due to fly out on today. Updates on tour once we receive them here at Scimitars.
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Date: 20/3/03