Aftab Habib is quitting Essex at the end of the season with a view to joining another county.

Quitting - Aftab habib is heading for pastures new at the end of the season (35907-13)

And the club's annual hire and fire meeting on Tuesday also spelled the end of the road for bowlers Adrian McCoubrey and Zoheb Sharif.

But on the bright side, former England wicket-keeper James Foster and in-form opening batsman Will Jefferson have signed new deals to remain at The County Ground.

Essex captain Ronnie Irani told the Gazette he was sad to be losing a batsman of 32-year-old Habib's quality, but added: "Aftab is looking for a longer-term deal than we can offer him."

Irani also hinted that a new deal to keep highly-rated Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria back at Essex next season is 'as good as agreed'.

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Published Thursday, September 2, 2004

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