Essex v Hampshire - LV= CC Match Preview - BBC Essex live coverage

Consequently Kaneria, who was so influential in helping the county to win promotion last year, will not now arrive in the United Kingdom until April 29 and will miss the first four championship matches, plus the opening Clydesdale Bank 40 Over League match of the campaign against Yorkshire.

 Alastair Cook,  is resting after captaining England in their successful recent test and One-day series against Bangladesh, whilst Ravi Bopara is still involved in the IPL. However, Graham Napier has returned and is named in a 13-man Essex squad.

Coach Paul Grayson agrees that the absence of Kaneria is frustrating. “It is a blow but we had an idea about a week ago that Danish might be involved in the tournament. There is nothing we can do about that and we hopefully we will have a temporary replacement lined-up who will be here in time for the game at Durham next week.

“Frankly, there is not a lot to choose from at this time because of the various competitions going on or about to start around the world. Obviously whoever comes in would have to be of the quality that would make an impact on our side otherwise there is no point in bringing them over.

“But, if we don’t get anyone in, then it won’t be disastrous because we have got some good players who can fill in and I’ve got every confidence in all of the squad.

“Our preparations have gone well and I don’t want people making a big issue about Division One cricket just because we haven’t been there for a while. Hampshire is a decent side but we are a good side and if we stick to the basics and maintain all the things we’ve talked about, we’ll be absolutely fine this year.

“I know that some people are saying we are the underdogs and are going to be the whipping boys in the County Championship but I’m okay with that because I think we’ll shock a lot of people this year. Everyone is raring to go and there is an excellent mood around the dressing room.” 

Captain Mark Pettini said, “We are all very excited about the prospect of playing Division One cricket and it’s great for us. Hopefully we will be successful and also in our one-day cricket which has been a big part of this club for the past few years.

“Obviously it’s a step up for us in four-day cricket but I’m sure that we will cope and it will be good to take on some different sides this year having spent a few years in Division Two. It will be tougher cricket because it’s a slightly different style.

“Teams look to get their full quota of bonus points and then see if there is a chance of a result whereas in the past, we’ve generally tried to play some aggressive cricket and fashion a result. We might have to slightly alter that style but hopefully, we can carry on playing our brand of cricket and get the results we want. “

Essex and Hampshire have met on 133 previous occasions in the County Championship with Essex holding bragging rights having won 44 matches whilst their opponents have ten fewer wins to their credit. The last occasion that the team met in the four-day game was back in August 2004 at the Rose Bowl where Essex opener Will Jefferson scored a career-best 222 in a match to underpin a 384 runs victory that also set a new county record for largest victory by runs. Earlier in the season, the clash at Chelmsford had seen the visitors prevail by 114 runs despite match figures of 9-176 by Kaneria.

Essex squad for tomorrow:  Mark Pettini (captain), Billy Goddleman, John Maunders, Tom Westley, Matthew Walker, James Foster (wicket keeper) , Ryan ten Doeschate, Graham Napier, Tim Phillips, Chris Wright, David Masters, Maurice Chambers, Jaik Mickleburgh.

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