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PRE-MATCH TEAM NEWS
Essex Eagles have named a 15-man squad for their Friends Provident Trophy match against Sussex Sharks at The Ford County Ground on Sunday.

Opening batsman Alastair Cook has been granted permission by the ECB to play in the game after originally being made unavailable strictly for domestic one-day cricket ahead of England’s first Test in mid-May.

Essex First-Team Coach Paul Grayson told the Essex CCC website: “I had a chat with Peter Moores (England Head Coach) and, as a result, hopefully Alastair will now be able to play in both of our Friends Provident Trophy games before he starts his England commitments. Alastair wants to play and we want him to play. The only way for any player to improve in one-day cricket and playing against the white ball is to get out there and play games.”

Essex give late fitness tests to Captain Mark Pettini (eye infection) and James Foster (bruised thumb). Cook filled in as skipper in the absence of both Pettini – who took no part at Derby after day two - and Vice-Captain Foster, who was replaced by Adam Wheater for the Championship game.    

Fast bowler Andre Nel was off the field with a trapped sciatic nerve on the third morning of the match against Derbyshire, which finished on Saturday, but returned later on that day and also took a full part in proceedings on day four.

Graham Napier is due to have an injection in his knee on Monday and could be back in contention for next week’s Tourist Match against New Zealand. Meanwhile, Tim Phillips is awaiting the results of a scan on the knee he injured during this week’s 2nd XI match at Southend.    

Play is scheduled to get underway at midday.

TICKETS

Tickets will be available on the day to non-members at £15 for adults and £7.50 for juniors.
ONLINE AND RADIO COVERAGE
BBC Essex – our official broadcast partner - will be providing live ball-by-ball commentary of the game from midday. You can access the commentary via the Essex CCC website or at http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex from the start of the match.

Updates will also be available in the ECCC Diary section of the Essex CCC website.
Essex Eagles squad to play Sussex Sharks in the Friends Provident Trophy at The Ford County Ground, Chelmsford (Sunday April 27)

Mark Pettini (Captain), Alastair Cook, Jason Gallian, Tom Westley, Ravinder Bopara, Grant Flower, Ryan ten Doeschate, James Foster, James Middlebrook, David Masters, Andre Nel, Chris Wright, Alex Tudor, Varun Chopra, Adam Wheater.