Essex's overseas star Stuart Law has admitted this could be his last season with the county.

The 32-year-old Australian crowd-pleaser said on Friday: "No-one has approached me yet about returning to Essex next season.

"I will be a free agent then and if another county made the right overtures I would have to give it serious consideration.

"It's not a question of me committing to Essex, it's more a case of Essex not committing to me. Who knows where my future lies?

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"It could be with Essex. It could mean a change of venue, or I might just decide to spend the Australian winter at home and not come over to England at all."

Law has won almost every domestic honour with Queensland in his native Australia, but has yet to win a County Championship medal after almost six seasons in England and is clearly disillusioned by Essex's lack of success this season.

With 1,000 runs in all cricket already to his credit this summer, the exciting Aussie run-machine is one of the few Essex players to come to terms with their promotion to the First Division.

His value to the club is demonstrated by the fact he has scored almost 50 per cent of their runs since his arrival at Chelmsford in 1996.

But speculation is rife that Law could be on the move. Only last week sources in Lancashire revealed they would be ready to step in and sign him after he bludgeoned the Old Trafford attack for three centuries in as many days.

"It's always nice to hear these things and it's always nice to know people appreciate your services," said the straight-talking Aussie. "Sadly I never seem to hear it from the right quarters.

"This is all about security and respect. I don't get that respect.

"All I've ever done is walked out there and given 100 per cent. When people outside the club keep telling me I've scored so many runs for the county, surely I deserve that respect.

"I want to feel wanted by the club, but that doesn't appear to be the case right now - absolutely no-one has said a word to me about a new contract for Essex next season.

"A lot of people might not want to hear me say it, but playing for Essex at the moment is not really playing for the best county in the country.

"I could land myself in a lot of trouble for saying that, but I threw away two financially superior offers to come here in the first place and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Chelmsford."

Although no-one from the county was available to comment on Friday, skipper Ronnie Irani has made it clear he wants Law to stay.

In his Gazette column on Thursday, he said: "I for one will be making sure there's a new contract on the table for him as early as possible."

Stuart Law - admitted he might leave Essex

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