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Essex Eagles have named a 13-man squad for their Twenty20 Cup matches against Sussex Sharks at Hove on Tuesday, June 17 and Kent Spitfires at The Ford County Ground on Wednesday, June 18.

Tony Palladino and Tom Westley are added to the XI on duty for the County’s opening home Twenty20 Cup fixture against Middlesex Crusaders last Sunday.

Captain Mark Pettini remains on the sidelines with a groin injury while Tim Phillips is still a little short of match fitness following knee surgery.

Loan signing Neil Dexter is unavailable for the game on Wednesday as he is not permitted to play against his ‘mother’ county.

Pre-match comments
Speaking ahead of the game at Hove, First-Team Coach Paul Grayson told the Essex CCC website:

“Despite losing two on the bounce we still believe we are a good one-day side. Now we need to get back on the horse at Hove and look to put in a good performance. Everyone knows how important Twenty20 cricket has become and with Sussex also having made a poor start tonight’s match is one of those ‘must-win’ games. If Sussex lose again tonight then a record of 0-4 would effectively knock them out and if we win then it’s 2-2 and we are back on track. Things can change very quickly in the Twenty20 Cup.”

Paul Grayson on the injury absence of Mark Pettini
“Mark went to see a specialist on Monday and he advised him not to play for at least another three to four days, so that means definitely missing Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games and Friday (at home to Surrey Brown Caps) will be touch and go. Having already lost Ravi Bopara to England that now means we are without arguably our two best one-day players this year, which is clearly a blow but gives others an opportunity to impress.”

Ticket News for the Essex Eagles v Kent Spitfires game on Wednesday
There are still tickets available for tomorrow’s game at The Ford County Ground. They can be bought at the gate priced at £18 for Adults and £9 for Juniors.

Online and Radio coverage
BBC Essex – our official broadcast partner - will be providing live ball-by-ball commentary of both games from 7.30pm (Tuesday) and 7.00pm (Wednesday). You can access the commentary via the Essex CCC website by CLICKING HERE or at http://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/realmedia/cricket_commentary.ram from the start of the match.

Essex Eagles squad to play Sussex Sharks in the Twenty20 Cup on Tuesday, June 17 at Hove ( 7.00pm start) and Kent Spitfires,Wednesday, June 18 at The Ford County Ground (7.00pm start):
Varun Chopra, Jason Gallian, Grant Flower, Neil Dexter, Tom Westley, Ryan ten Doeschate, James Foster, James Middlebrook, Graham Napier, David Masters, Danish Kaneria,
Tony Palladino, Maurice Chambers.

Please note: Neil Dexter is not available for Wednesday’s game against Kent Spitfires.