upon the conclusion of his studies, brown joined essex, making his first-class debut for the county against yorkshire in the 1988 county championship. in competition with david east for most of his time at essex, he found his opportunities limited, making just 4 further first-class appearances, the last of which came against nottinghamshire. in his 5 first-class appearances for essex, he scored 13 runs at an average of 6.50, with a high score of 6 not out, while behind the stumps he took 13 catches and made 3 stumpings. while at essex he also played list a cricket, making his debut in that format for the county against yorkshire in the 1988 refuge assurance league. he made 2 further list a appearances for essex in 1988, against wiltshire in the natwest trophy and hampshire in the refuge assurance league. while at essex, with opportunities limited he appeared once more for suffolk in minor counties cricket from 1989 onwards, making a total of 92 minor counties championship and 19 mcca knockout trophy appearances for suffolk up to his retirement at the end of the 1999 season. indeed, while still at essex he continued to play list a cricket for his native county, appearing in 3 list a matches while still playing for essex. he would make a further 4 list a appearances for suffolk, the last of which came against the hampshire cricket board in the 1999 natwest trophy. in total, brown played 8 list a matches for suffolk, scoring 67 runs at an average of 9.57, with a high score of 51. this score came against northamptonshire in the 1989 natwest trophy.