Chris Silverwood’s men started their pre-season tour with two victories against two UAE teams in Dubai.
The travelling squad was split into two teams with one playing a match at The ICC Academy and one at The Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The first side were led by Vice-Captain Tom Westley and saw the likes of Nick Browne, Ravi Bopara and Adam Wheater appear.
The second was led by Club Captain Ryan ten Doeschate and featured Alastair Cook, Varun Chopra and winter signing Simon Harmer.
At The ICC Academy Essex were set a tough victory target of 240 runs. The wickets were largely shared around with Bopara, Callum Taylor and Joe Ellis-Grewal all picking up two.
In reply Bopara was outstanding, leading Essex to a five-wicket victory. Captain Westley and opener Browne were the other main contributors scoring 47 and 42 respectively.
In the second game Essex secured a nail-biting one-wicket win, albeit chasing a revised target of 200.
Ryan ten Doeschate’s team had earlier skittled the UAE XI for 124 with Harmer, Porter and Walter all taking two wickets apiece.
Chasing a mutually agreed 200 in response, Captain ten Doeschate scored 89 as he led his sides reply.
James Foster also scored 32 and Walter 21 as Essex just got over the line at The Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
