The Essex Academy will face the PCA Masters in a Twenty20 floodlit challenge match on Thursday June 14.

“The PCA Masters are playing six games against county academy sides this year but this is the only Twenty20 game," John Childs, the Essex Academy director, told the club's website. "There is no doubting, I believe, this is quite an exciting venture and we know that Twenty20 cricket stimulates the younger element who are not much younger or the same age as those who will be going out onto the field. On that basis they can watch and then perhaps have more self-belief in themselves to also want to get on the Academy. That for me is what it all boils down to.

“At the end of the summer once the PCA Masters have played against all the counties they will select one young player to go with them to Sri Lanka on their end-of-year tour - so that’s an added incentive for our players.

“The history of our Academy has shown that we have produced seven contracted players (Tony Palladino, Zoheb Sharif, Varun Chopra, Jahid Ahmed, Mervyn Westfield, Maurice Chambers, Tom Westley) and one England player (Alastair Cook) so it does show that the Academy does work and, looking at our Academy at the moment, without naming names, I would like to think there are two or three players there who are showing really great signs that they will be signing professional contracts in the not-too-distant future. It is acknowledged the people who support the County are always keen to see the future of the Club featuring home-grown Essex players and this remains our intention.”

Play is scheduled to get underway at 7.00pm and admission will be free.

May 23, 2007

Adam Hollioake considers Essex return

Posted on 05/23/2007 in Essex

Former Surrey captain Adam Hollioake, 35, is expected to hold talks with Essex next week about a possible return to county cricket in this year's Twenty20 Cup

April 20, 2007

Nel cleared for Essex

Posted on 04/20/2007 in Essex

Andre Nel has been cleared to play for Essex by the South Africa board. Nel, the fast bowler, won't have much time to rest after the World Cup. If South Africa make the final on April 29, he will have just two days off before turning out for Essex's first match, against his former club Northants. The Championship tie begins on May 2.

Nel will stay with the county until mid-June, his second stint at the club, after a brief stay in August and September 2005. Upon his departure in June, Nel will be replaced by Australian all-rounder Andy Bichel who will remain with the County until September. Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is contracted to Essex for the whole season, subject to international commitments.

Everyone at Essex was, needless to say, delighted.

April 17, 2007

Essex take on Southend

Posted on 04/17/2007 in Essex

Essex will play footballing neighbours Southend FC in a Twenty20 match on Monday, May 7 at the Roots Hall football ground. Tickets are £10 in advance. For more information check out the Essex official website

April 5, 2007

Essex warm-up against Surrey

Posted on 04/05/2007 in Essex

Essex begin their domestic pre-season friendly programme when they face Surrey on Thursday and Friday (April 5 and 6) at Chelmsford. The provisional format comprises of 50-overs-per-side games on each day with play starting at 11.00am on Thursday and 10.30am on Friday (please note: format and start times are subject to change as these games are designed to provide match practice for the players ahead of the season).

“Surrey were by far the best team in four-day cricket we came up against last year, although we enjoyed success against them in Twenty20 cricket, so we are looking forward to coming up against one of the best teams in the country,” said Ronnie Irani. “It’s a bit early yet but it’s good to test ourselves against tough opposition.”

Alex Tudor, who moved to Essex from Surrey, said he was looking forward to the games. “When the fixtures came out I saw we had a couple of one-day games against Surrey and it will be good to see the guys again. We shaped up really well in Dubai (on the pre-season tour) and everyone looked pretty good. Surrey are arguably one of the strongest four-day sides in the country and it will be a good test for us to see where we are at this moment. Everything is gearing up for our first Championship game on the 18th against Derbyshire but this will give us a good pointer to see where we are at this stage.”

March 26, 2007

The Floodlit Cup is back ... if you missed it

Posted on 03/26/2007 in Essex

Hold on to your hats - the Twenty20 Floodlit Cup is back for the new English county season.

Last year the competition involved the four counties with floodlights. This year just two counties, Derbyshire and Essex, have put their names forward, and they will be joined by the PCA Masters. It will be a round-robin affair, played over August and September. If you missed it last year, and how could you, Essex were the winners.

Continue reading "The Floodlit Cup is back ... if you missed it"

November 15, 2006

Bopara signs new deal with Essex

Posted on 11/15/2006 in Essex

Ravinder Bopara, the Essex allrounder, has signed a one-year contract extension at the county taking him up to the end of the 2008 season.

Bopara, 21, has just flown out to Perth with the England Academy squad.

He told the Essex CCC website: “The only reason I haven’t signed a longer extension of two or three years is because I don’t know what’s going to happen down the line. I can see where my career is going to go over the next year/year-and-a-half so I’m happy to sign until 2008 and then look ahead from there.

“I’ve got no interest in going anywhere else but I just want to keep my options open. I feel good about playing for Essex because we are winning competitions and getting through to latter stages of competitions.”

Bopara is extremely highly thought of on the circuit and scored 806 runs at 38.38 in the County Championship in 2006, with a top score of 157, as well as taking 19 wickets at 47.47.

He also played a major all-round part in Essex's success in both the Twenty20 competition and the NatWest Pro40 league.

It is a further boost for Essex after they tied England batsman Alastair Cook to a new contract in recent weeks.

Bopara signs new deal with Essex

Posted on 11/15/2006 in Essex

Ravinder Bopara, the Essex allrounder, has signed a one-year contract extension at the county taking him up to the end of the 2008 season.

Bopara, 21, has just flown out to Perth with the England Academy squad.

He told the Essex CCC website: “The only reason I haven’t signed a longer extension of two or three years is because I don’t know what’s going to happen down the line. I can see where my career is going to go over the next year/year-and-a-half so I’m happy to sign until 2008 and then look ahead from there.

“I’ve got no interest in going anywhere else but I just want to keep my options open. I feel good about playing for Essex because we are winning competitions and getting through to latter stages of competitions.”

Bopara is extremely highly thought of on the circuit and scored 806 runs at 38.38 in the County Championship in 2006, with a top score of 157, as well as taking 19 wickets at 47.47.

He also played a major all-round part in Essex's success in both the Twenty20 competition and the NatWest Pro40 league.

It is a further boost for Essex after they tied England batsman Alastair Cook to a new contract in recent weeks.

October 18, 2006

Tudor extends contract with Essex

Posted on 10/18/2006 in Essex

Alex Tudor, the former England fast bowler, has extended his contract with Essex for two years to keep him at the club until the end of the 2008 season.

Tudor, 28, joined Essex in 2005 but missed most of the season through injuries – a common trend throughout his career. He enjoyed a more fruitful season in 2006 with 28 wickets at 42.67 and 362 runs at 30.16, including a career-best 144 against Derbyshire.

“I’m very delighted to finally put pen to paper and both parties seem happy with the contract,” Tudor told the club’s website. “There are still incentives for playing more games but, most importantly, I was given the amount of years I was looking for. It shows the club are backing me and are happy with me. As a cricketer when you have a year-by-year contract it can be frustrating but now I can relax and play my cricket.”

“Alex has been given a two-year contract with the club of which, as in previous years, an element relates to him making appearances in both Championship and one-day matches,” David East, Essex’s chief executive, said. “But I think it’s very evident that he has demonstrated his fitness in the last year - he didn’t miss a game through injury and played in the last 10 Championship matches in a row - and made a significant contribution to our position in the Championship table this year (third). We are delighted he has come through his injury issues and everyone is comfortable with the structure of this particular contract going forward.”

October 17, 2006

Need Runs? Head for Chelmsford

Posted on 10/17/2006 in Essex

The last-day blow out that ended Essex’s chance of Championship promotion may have had one very positive outcome: it spelt out all too clearly what has held them back this season. Teams rather enjoy batting against them. No bowler reached 35 Championship wickets and only twice did their impotent attack bowl a team out for under 300 in the first innings. It is a testament to the strength of their batting that they won seven of their 16 matches. Only three redeeming features can be salvaged from the bowling: Andy Bichel’s injection of quality in the second half of the season, Alex Tudor lasting a whole campaign and the promise of Tim Phillips. And that is it unless you count Essex being the only county that Mark Ramprakash failed to score a Championship fifty against. For next season a quality fast bowler is a must. Essex’s transformation into a top one-day side can also be put down to their batting depth. Eleven players, including Alastair Cook, scored Championship centuries and the batsmen should not struggle for runs next year unless they give up entirely in protest at doing an unfair share of the work. And who could blame them?

Daniel Brigham The Wisden Cricketer

Need Runs? Head for Chelmsford

Posted on 10/17/2006 in Essex

The last-day blow out that ended Essex’s chance of Championship promotion may have had one very positive outcome: it spelt out all too clearly what has held them back this season. Teams rather enjoy batting against them. No bowler reached 35 Championship wickets and only twice did their impotent attack bowl a team out for under 300 in the first innings. It is a testament to the strength of their batting that they won seven of their 16 matches. Only three redeeming features can be salvaged from the bowling: Andy Bichel’s injection of quality in the second half of the season, Alex Tudor lasting a whole campaign and the promise of Tim Phillips. And that is it unless you count Essex being the only county that Mark Ramprakash failed to score a Championship fifty against. For next season a quality fast bowler is a must. Essex’s transformation into a top one-day side can also be put down to their batting depth. Eleven players, including Alastair Cook, scored Championship centuries and the batsmen should not struggle for runs next year unless they give up entirely in protest at doing an unfair share of the work. And who could blame them?

Daniel Brigham The Wisden Cricketer

October 16, 2006

Ten Doeschate signs new two-year contract

Posted on 10/16/2006 in Essex

The Essex allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate has signed a new two-year contract to keep him at the club until the end of the 2008 season.

Ten Doeschate, 26, notched his maiden hundred in 2006 – an unbeaten 102 against Glamorgan – in what was a successful season for him with bat and ball.

“I’m very pleased to have signed a new contract with Essex,” he told the club’s website. “I’ve known for a while that I was going to get it but to finally sign it is a very happy day for me.

“I only played in the one-day side in 2005, which, at the time, I was really happy about. But my aim at the start of the season was to get into the four-day side and I did manage eight Championship appearances. I would have liked to have played a bit more but, without being greedy, this was still a good year to follow my breakthrough season.”

October 11, 2006

Phillips extends Essex stay

Posted on 10/11/2006 in Essex

Tim Phillips, the Essex left-arm spinner, has signed a deal that will keep him at Chelmsford until 2009. He took 60 wickets in all cricket during 2006 but will face more competition next summer with Danish Kaneria due back as an overseas player.

"To be given this new contract is another reflection of how I've progressed this year," said Phillips. "Now that I've established myself I want to push on by taking more wickets, scoring more runs and generally improving on what I've done this year."

"Hopefully I can still do that with (fellow spinners) Danish Kaneria and James Middlebrook also here and playing for places."

September 27, 2006

Foster has knee operation

Posted on 09/27/2006 in Essex

James Foster, the Essex wicketkeeper, has undergone a knee operation to correct a minor problem he has suffered behind his right knee cap through the latter part of the season.

Mark Thomas, the Essex physio, told the club website: The procedure went better than expected as when actually inside the knee there was no evidence of a cartilage tear.

"However there was some minor damage to the medial patella (knee cap) and moderate synovitis at the back of the knee where he gets his pain. Synovitis is inflammation of the lining of the joint capsule causing pain and swelling."

Foster is expected to make a full and swift recovery.

September 19, 2006

Jefferson's time up

Posted on 09/19/2006 in Essex

The absence of William Ingleby Jefferson leaves a big hole and not just on the scorecard. As Essex were beginning their triumphant Championship match against Surrey – a win that infused the county with confidence after their mis-shaped display on Twenty20 finals day – Jefferson was handing in his notice after six seasons.

It has been a frustrating season for Jefferson, who severed a tendon in his wrist by putting it through his bathroom window in late spring. His recovery was lengthy and he has been left frustrated by his lack of first-team chances since his comeback.

His contract expires on September 30, but he was told his services wouldn’t be required for the rest of the season. “We think it is in Will’s best interest to make a clean break now so that he can fully investigate alternative cricket opportunities while the season is ongoing,” says the chief executive David East.

Nottinghamshire secured his services ahead of several interested counties. Jefferson, still only 26, averaged over 40 in first-class games for Essex, with 11 hundreds. In 2004 he struck six of them in stacking up 1,555 first-class runs. He was capped in 2002 and made his mark with a match-winning 165 not out against Nottinghamshire to earn Essex promotion to Division One in 2002.

Daniel Brigham, The Wisden Cricketer

September 15, 2006

Bichel cleared for final match

Posted on 09/15/2006 in Essex

Andy Bichel has been given permission by Queensland Cricket to play for Essex in their final County Championship match at Leicestershire next week.

Bichel had originally been due to return to Queensland on September 14, but he will now return home after the conclusion of Essex's domestic season on September 23.

David East, the Essex chief executive said: "We are extremely grateful to Queensland Cricket for their co-operation in this matter. Andy has played a major role in our success this year since arriving in June and we hope he can continue that form through to the end of the season."

September 11, 2006

Essex award trio county caps

Posted on 09/11/2006 in Essex

Essex have awarded Mark Pettini, Tim Phillips and Ryan ten Doeschate their county caps. The presentation was made during the lunch interval on day two of the County Championship match against Derbyshire at Chelmsford.

Continue reading "Essex award trio county caps"

July 31, 2006

Bichel solves pickle

Posted on 07/31/2006 in Essex

Struggling to recapture your early-season form in the County Championship? Bowlers worrying surgeons more than opposition batsmen? Send for an Australian allrounder to ease your woes. Andy Bichel’s arrival has revitalised a bruised and bullied bowling attack and reignited hopes of a successful season. Bichel is Essex’s first Australian purchase since Stuart Law left in 2001. Mark Waugh, Michael Kasprowicz and Allan Border preceded him. Going Aussie works. “Bichel’s had a great effect on the dressing room,” says captain Ronnie Irani. “He’s got so much experience and we needed help with the bowling a bit. Like all Aussies he’s always up for it; he’s not just over here for a holiday.” Bichel’s impact was immediate. He took eight wickets on his Essex Championship debut against Derbyshire, including 6 for 38 in the second innings to secure a first four-day victory in four tries. He then carried his form into the Twenty20 Cup. There were worries that at 35 he might be past his best but next to the creaking and groaning Alex Tudor and Darren Gough you can almost see him in short trousers.
Daniel Brigham, The Wisden Cricketer

July 30, 2006

Players thrive on steep earning curve

Posted on 07/30/2006 in Derbyshire

Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England opener, has revealed that the average salary for a county player is around £40,000. Surrey top the pay league, with their players earning an average salary of £60,000, and that excludes the bumper earnings of their overseas recruits. Yorkshire are at the bottom of the pay league, with an average salary of £30,000.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, James's article has gone a long way to dispelling the belief that county cricketers are sports paupers. While they still might to be able to hold a candle to any footballers in the Premier League, their pay is not as bad as it once was.

Click here for the full story.

July 21, 2006

A pilot's bravery

Posted on 07/21/2006 in Essex

A sobering story from the Sun of a 16-year-old pilot who died when his Cessna light aircraft crashed on a cricket pitch in Southend, Essex. It seems that Sam Cross deliberately steered the plane away from houses as it was coming down. One eyewitness said:

“I suspect he deliberately pointed the plane to make sure he didn’t hit anything. Half an hour earlier the field would have been full of children coming home from school.”

June 20, 2006

Chopra checks in

Posted on 06/20/2006 in Essex

Essex seem to have a handy line in talented young openers at the moment. With Alastair Cook unlikely to play much this season after predictably shining for England, it is lucky that 18-year-old Varun Chopra has started to show his class. A mature hundred on Championship debut against Gloucestershire, followed by an unbeaten fifty in the second innings, confirmed that he has the temperament to go with the technique. At Essex since the age of eight, he has several similarities to Cook. Both captained England Under-19, both are tall, classical batsmen and strong off their legs. Importantly, both seem to have the right attitude.

“I love playing for Essex”, says Chopra. “I’ve been here since I was a kid and they’ve treated me really well. I felt good [during his hundred], and more relaxed as I went along. Hopefully I can follow Cooky and aim for the England team – that’s my dream.” And, after discovering Will Jefferson and Cook, would you bet against Essex finding another opener of similar quality if he does make it?
Daniel Brigham, The Wisden Cricketer

June 19, 2006

Essex 2nds take on the Afghans

Posted on 06/19/2006 in Essex

Essex 2nd XI take on the Afghanistan national team in a one-day friendly match at Billericay on Tuesday.

The Afghans are on their first tour of England and are set to play seven matches during their visit.

The Essex 2nd XI coach, Paul Grayson, is looking forward to tomorrow's one-day encounter:

"It will be a good experience for our lads. Afghanistan have come on a lot over the last couple of years and it will be good for them to play against a different culture and different types of batsmen/bowlers.

"I understand they have one or two decent spinners and, according to their coach, one of the fastest bowlers in the world (19-year-old left-arm seamer Shahpur Zadran) so that should be interesting."

June 10, 2006

Don't drink and drive ... but do pretend to be Aussie

Posted on 06/10/2006 in Essex

Ronnie Irani is no stranger to the microphone and he and James Foster relished the chance to do their bit to help raise awareness of the dangers of drink/driving – especially now that the World Cup and summer bbq season is here and the beer is sure to be flowing. A number of Essex's other squad members were able to hear the ad for the first time at a press launch on Wednesday, as Essex communications manager Greg Lansdowne confirmed. "Not only were they greatly amused by the wit and repartee of our recording stars, but also by the 'fair dinkum' Australian accent affected by Mr Foster." But all in a good cause, eh.

May 1, 2006

Minor hamstring injury for Gough

Posted on 05/01/2006 in Essex

Darren Gough picked up a hamstring injury during Monday's C & G Trophy match against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl after running into the umpire's arm. He had begun the game in impressive style but was forced to leave the field after recording figures of 2.2-1-4-2.

The Essex physio, Mark Thomas, issued said: "Gough has a very mild grade 1 strain of his right femoris [one of his hamstrings]. He sustained the injury during his third over when the umpire put his arm up to halt his run-up, causing Darren to run into the umpire's arm - throwing him off balance in the process.

"We will not be taking any chances with the injury so it is likely - as a precaution - that he will not be playing in our next Championship match against Leicestershire."

April 23, 2006

Putting the sex into Essex

Posted on 04/23/2006 in Essex

Ashley Cowan will soon be lapping it up at Essex © Getty Images

Benefit events: yawnsome speeches from crusty old men blathering on through their beards – Get on with it, man! - while guests struggle to hold their eyes open. Right?

Well, not necessarily so in cheeky Essex where Ashley Cowan is being sponsored by a lap-dancing club, The Cave, who will put on so-called Cave Nights, involving pole dancing, beer and, um, cricket celebrities.

The club's communications manager Greg Lansdowne hastily justified how this sat with being a family club. "There are a variety of events in a benefit year," he said, "some of an adult nature and some for all the family. Ashley's Cave Nights will cater for the more mature end of the market."

"We all know sex sells," nudge-nudge-wink-winked a grinning Cowan, "and that's why we are having these nights." Ooh! Fancy.

April 13, 2006

Essex replace Johnson with youth

Posted on 04/13/2006 in Essex

Essex have decided against replacing unavailable Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson and will instead rely on their crop of promising youngsters.Read the full story here

April 12, 2006

Essex play Middlesex in pre-season friendly

Posted on 04/12/2006 in Essex

Essex play Middlesex in a 50-over pre-season friendly at the County Ground on Thursday, April 13. Play starts at 11.00am and admission is free.