Franklin targets longer-term deal

By Paul Hiscock

James Franklin hopes the offer of a contract to play for Essex as one of their overseas options in this year's Friends Life t20 competition leads on to a longer-term comeback in county cricket.
 
"Playing for Essex in the Twenty20 suits me fine because it comes off the back of playing in the IPL and breaks up my winter back home," he said. "So the chance to come over and play some cricket in what is your summer fitted ideally."
 
The highly experienced Wellington-born 31-year-old, who has appeared in 27 Tests, 94 ODIs and 23 T20 internationals, was quick to put pen to paper on the deal. "I was delighted when I learned that Essex were interested in signing me because I know how formidable they've been in one-day competitions over the years so I jumped at the chance of joining them for the t20."
 
However, the New Zealand international all-rounder is hoping that Essex's interest will lead to an offer to play county cricket on a more permanent basis once again.
 
"I still play first-class cricket back home and in truth, four-day cricket is probably still the format of the game that I enjoy most," he added. "I have to say that if an opportunity arose for me to play County Championship cricket over here again, then I'd certainly be keen to come back.
 
"But, in the meantime, I've got a wonderful Twenty20 opportunity here and we'll wait and see if any opportunity comes to play four-day cricket either later on in the season or maybe next year."
 
Franklin played for Gloucestershire between 2004 and 2010, apart from a brief stint with Glamorgan in 2006, and said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my years with Gloucestershire. I played all formats for them so who knows what the future holds but, for now, I'm here to do my best in t20 cricket for Essex."
 

Date: 20/06/2012 09:49:15 by Paul Hiscock
In: Today | Essex |