With the LV= Insurance County Championship hours away, we look at the Essex squad set for the 2022 campaign.
The end of 2021 saw the retirement of two legends as both Ryan ten Doeschate and Varun Chopra called a halt on their playing careers following illustrious careers in the domestic game. Matt Quinn has also joined Kent on a three-year contract following a loan move over the 2021 season.
However, Essex have been busy bolstering the squad with the signing of all-rounder Matt Critchley from Derbyshire and wicket-keeper-batter Adam Rossington from Northamptonshire. Both signings will provide batting depth, with Critchley offering a different bowling option in the form of leg-spin and Rossington available to take the gloves.
Furthermore, Essex have signed an Aussie pair in Mark Steketee, who will play in the County Championship for the first six matches, and Daniel Sams for the Vitality T20 Blast. Both seamers come in as the Overseas player alongside Simon Harmer.
Steketee took 32 wickets in 6 matches during this year’s Sheffield Shield and Daniel Sams has remarkable T20 ability, which is highlighted by his inclusion in both Mumbai Indians’ IPL team and the Australia IT20 squad.
This is in addition to Essex’s already incredibly successful team over the last few years, which sees spin king Simon Harmer return to Chelmsford after enjoying a return to Test cricket, alongside stalwarts Alastair Cook and Club Captain, Tom Westley. The Essex bowling attack continues to be one of the best on the county scene with seam opening partnership Jamie Porter and Sam Cook duly supported by the likes of Shane Snater, Aaron Beard and Ben Allison.
Anthony McGrath’s side has also continued to introduce an array of homegrown local players with youngsters like Robin Das, Jamal Richards and Eshun Kalley signing Rookie contracts this years and being named in the First Team to gain valuable experience at England’s highest domestic level.
Essex County Cricket Club First Team Squad 2022
6 – Mark Steketee (Overseas: Championship)
9 – Will Buttleman (WK)
10 – Nick Browne
11 – Simon Harmer (Vitality Blast Captain)
14 – Aaron Beard
16 – Sam Cook
17 – Adam Rossington (WK)
19 – Michael Pepper (WK)
20 – Matt Critchley
21 – Tom Westley (Captain)
22 – Paul Walter
23 – Feroze Khushi
24 – Aron Nijjar
26 – Alastair Cook
28 – Dan Lawrence
29 – Shane Snater
30 – Eshun Kalley
31 – Adam Wheater (WK)
44 – Jamie Porter
47 – Robin Das
49 – Josh Rymell
65 – Ben Allison
77 – Jack Plom
87 – Jamal Richards
99 – Daniel Sams (Overseas: Vitality Blast)
99 – Luc Benkenstein
