Essex are getting ready for a Friends Provident Trophy double-header against Kent Spitfires (Friday May 16) and Middlesex Crusaders (Sunday May 18).

Play is due to get underway at 2.30pm on Friday for the day-night match with the Spitfires while a midday start is scheduled for Sunday's encounter with the Crusaders.

TEAM NEWS

Essex squad

Mark Pettini, Jason Gallian, Ravinder Bopara, Grant Flower, Ryan ten Doeschate, James Foster, James Middlebrook, Graham Napier, David Masters, Chris Wright, Andre Nel, Alex Tudor, Varun Chopra

PRE-MATCH COMMENTS
Looking ahead to the game, Essex First-Team Coach Paul Grayson told the Essex CCC website:
"I said to the players before last Sunday's game that Surrey are a decent side but we are playing with confidence and feel we can beat anyone. We have got ourselves into a strong position in the group (top after three straight wins) so want to qualify for the quarter-finals as quickly as possible, rather than leaving it until the last game.

"There is a good work ethic among the players at the moment and I keep challenging the players to play like they have been recently. We had a debrief from Sunday's game on Wednesday and I was really encouraged by the players pinpointing areas where we can still improve.

"Friday's game (against Kent) is a day-night game so we decided to train under floodlights on Wednesday evening to give ourselves every opportunity in that game, getting used to fielding under lights again and that twilight zone when it can be difficult to sight the ball.

"That session went very well so we feel in the right frame for Friday's match."

TICKETS
Tickets are available to the general public for each match at £15 for adults/£7.50 juniors (juniors can upgrade to a year's membership for just an extra £4.50 - contact the Membership department on 01245 254010 or CLICK HERE for more information).

Online and Radio coverage

BBC Essex - our official broadcast partner - will be providing live ball-by-ball commentary of both games. You can access the commentary via the Essex CCC by CLICKING HERE, or at http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/realmedia/cricket_commentary.ram from the start of the match.