Danish Kaneria gave Essex the news they wanted to hear today.

The Pakistani world-class leg-spinner wants to come back and play cricket for the county again next season.

Signed only for this summer only as an overseas player alongside ill-fated Australian pace bowler Scott Brant, the 23-year-old Karachi tweaker told the Evening Gazette: "I love county cricket and Essex is my team.

"I'm already being chased by a number of other counties who are offering me good money to play for them next year, but everybody's been very kind to me and my wife Dlarmita since we came over here and I will always give Essex the first chance.

"My ambition as a small boy was to play for an English county and thanks to god's will my wish has come true."

Currently topping the Essex wicket-taker's list with 42 victims at the start of play today, the very likable Pakistani Test ace is looking to 2005 to be a really big year for him.

He said: "Dlarmita and I are expecting our first baby in February and there's a big tour of Australia that I am desperate to be part of.

"But before that I would like to finish the season as Essex's leading wicket-taker and I want to take my county to promotion in the process."

Published Thursday August 19, 2004

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