Essex will be looking to record their sixth home win from as many matches when they meet Warwickshire at The Cloudfm County Ground starting on Saturday.
Essex are now unbeaten in eight Championship matches and are hot on the heels of leaders Somerset, who have a 15 point advantage with five matches of the competition to be played. Essex will be missing bowler Jamie Porter who has been named in the England Lions squad to face Australia A in the four-day match at Canterbury starting on Sunday.
Peter Siddle believes that Essex can lay down a serious challenge to lift the title for the second time in three years.
He said: “We are in a great position and if we stay at the level we have been, then we can have a right old crack at trying for that title
“Chelmsford has been a bit of a fortress for us this season and it would be great to add another win to our record and come away with another clutch of points from the match with Warwickshire.
“There’s a real buzz about the boys, the changing room is up and about and it’s exciting to be a part of that.”
Siddle made a significant contribution in the county’s latest success when they beat Yorkshire by 123 runs at the start of this week. The 34-year-old had match figures of 6 for 103 including 4 for 32 in the second innings and he acknowledges that the effectiveness of the Essex attack will play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the Championship.
“As a bowling unit, we are going to play a big part if we are to continue the success we’ve had so far,” he stated. “Sure, there are a few games to go and it looks like it’s going to be an exciting finish but there’s no reason why we can’t go on from here and lift another title.”
Essex squad to face Warwickshire:
Ryan ten Doeschate (Captain) (27)
Ben Allison (65)
Aaron Beard (14)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Nick Browne (10)
Alastair Cook (26)
Simon Harmer (11)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Rishi Patel (12)
Matt Quinn (94)
Peter Siddle (64)
Tom Westley (21)
Adam Wheater (Wicket-keeper) (31)
