ALASTAIR Cook will be available for Essex for their County Championship match against Kent.

The England captain has been cleared to play by the ECB following his international commitments with the national side in the Test series against Sri Lanka.

Cook will join his club-mates at Chelmsford for the start of the four-day match on Sunday, much to the delight of Essex head coach Chris Silverwood.

"It is always a bonus to welcome Alastair back into the side and hopefully he can make an impact on his return," Silverwood said.

"We never put much pressure on him when he comes back and we are just grateful to have him around the squad.

"After his contributions earlier in the season we are pleased to have him back in the fold."

Essex lost be four wickets to Leicestershire in their last championships match but are still top of the Division Two table with a six-point lead over Kent.