Gloucestershire v Essex (24 to 27 September)
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Essex are preparing for their final match of the 2008 season against Gloucestershire in the LV County Championship at Bristol, starting on Wednesday, September 24.
Defeat in their previous four-day game, at home to Warwickshire, means promotion is now out of the equation for Essex. Nonetheless, with the Friends Provident Trophy and NatWest Pro40 Division Two title in the trophy cabinet, as well as having reached Twenty20 Cup Finals Day, the County have many reasons to be proud of their achievements this year.
Varun Chopra and Jahid Ahmed replace Jason Gallian and David Masters from the team that lost to Warwickshire as First-Team Coach Paul Grayson shuffles his pack.
Fast bowler Ahmed will be making his first Championship appearance of the season, having finished as Essex’s leading wicket-taker in the Second Eleven Championship with 28 wickets @ 30.57.
Fitness Bulletin
Essex Physio Peter Gettings issued the following update on Monday, September 22:
Tim Phillips (right knee problem) has started rehabilitation with our new Strength and Conditioning Coach, Anthony Sharp, and came through his first session with minimal discomfort. This is encouraging for his progress but he is not be available for the Championship match at Gloucester.
Graham Napier – An MRI scan last week showed a small tear in one of his right ankle ligaments and a sprain on one of his other right ankle ligaments after injuring the ankle in the NatWest Pro40 match at Kent on September 13. Graham underwent a fitness test on Saturday, after which it was decided not to risk him in the final Championship match of the season, although there is no serious damage to his ankle.
Maurice Chambers is due to start rehab on his left ankle this week at the ECB Performance Centre at Loughborough University. Maurice has made good progress so far after surgery.
Milestones
After the Warwickshire LVCC match the following Essex players approach milestones:
First-Class (all teams)
Ryan ten Doeschate 97 wickets
First-Class (Essex only)
Ravinder Bopara and Mark Pettini 48 catches
Tickets
Tickets are available at £14 for adults, £10 for OAPs and Students and £7.00 for juniors per day.
Online coverage
BBC Essex - our official broadcast partner - will be providing live ball-by-ball commentary of the match by CLICKING HERE from 10.30am on Wednesday.
Essex team to play Gloucestershire in the LV County Championship at Bristol from Wednesday September 24 to Saturday September 27 (10.30am start):
John Maunders, Varun Chopra, Ravinder Bopara, Mark Pettini (capt), James Foster (wkt), Jaik Mickleburgh, Ryan ten Doeschate, James Middlebrook, Chris Wright, Tony Palladino, Jahid Ahmed.
