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Anthony McGrath has named a 13-man squad for the first game of the 2018 County Championship season, with Peter Siddle due to make his Essex debut in the match against Yorkshire at Headingley.

The 33-year-old Australian fast bowler has joined Essex for the first five matches of the season and will spearhead the pace attack until the return of New Zealander, Neil Wagner.

Siddle plays his State cricket with Victoria and recently was a key member of the Adelaide Strikers team that won the Big Bash. Although he won the last of his 62 Test caps back in November 2016, his current form has led to many calling for him to return to the Australian Test side.

Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, is delighted to have the presence of the influential bowler in his squad and said: “We are really excited to have Peter Siddle with us for those early matches given all the quality that he brings. We are confident after what we achieved last year and I’m sure that he will add to what we are trying to deliver in 2018. ”

Meanwhile Anthony McGrath starts his tenure as Essex Head Coach with a nostalgic return to his former stomping ground, Headingley.

McGrath won four Test caps and spent 17 years with the White Rose, but admits that there will be no room for sentiment when he walks back into the ground.

“No there won’t be any, cricket is my profession and my job,” he said. “I’m in my third year now with Essex and feel an Essex boy. I’ve really enjoyed my time since I moved down here.

“Yes I see old friends when I go back up there and my family will all be there, they live up there and so from that point of view, it’s great to catch up with people. But in terms of the game, it’s business as usual.”

Twelve months ago, Essex were the bookies, and many pundits, favourites to be relegated, but they shocked the critics by proving invincible in the red-ball game, collecting ten wins along the way.

“Being defending Champions comes with its own pressure because people now expect of us, but within our own dressing room, nothing has changed, it’s business as usual,” McGrath insisted.

“We look to control what we can control, look to improve as individuals, stay together as a team and stick to our game plans. I know that is a bit of a boring message but the teams that normally do the basics really well come out on top in four-day cricket.

“We beat Yorkshire twice last year and we’ll be looking to do the same this year. We want to start well, we know this game will be tough because Yorkshire are very good at Headingley. They’ve had a great record in recent years in four-day cricket so we are certainly not under-estimating how tough the game will be.”

Yorkshire will be desperate to put on a better show than they did when the sides met in 2017. They were rolled over in two days at Scarborough in August where Mohammad Amir grabbed match figures of 10 for 72, and then fared little better in the return at Chelmsford in the final fixture of the season capitulating to defeat by 376 runs inside three days.

Essex batsman, Varun Chopra, and young seamer, Sam Cook, have passed fitness tests to be involved in the travelling squad to Yorkshire.

Essex squad
Ryan ten Doeschate (27) Captain
James Foster (7) Wicket-keeper
Ravi Bopara (25)
Nick Browne (10)
Varun Chopra (6)
Sam Cook (16)
Simon Harmer (11)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Jamie Porter (44)
Peter Siddle (64)
Paul Walter (22)
Tom Westley (21)
Adam Wheater (31)

The Essex County Cricket Club Annual General Meeting took place on Tuesday evening at The Cloudfm County Ground and the result of the 2018 Committee ballot was announced.

It was confirmed that there were 7 nominations for the 3 available places on the General Committee and that a total of 786 voting papers were received (21% of the eligible voting Members).

Those nominated were:

Mr Kim Bailey (304)
Mr Peter Butler (420)
Mr Nigel Hilliard (487)
Mr Ian Patterson (413)
Mr Baiju Solanki (242)
Mr Brian Springall (113)
Mrs Kate Walters (314)

Those elected onto the General Committee:

Mr Peter Butler
Mr Nigel Hilliard
Mr Ian Patterson

A vote also took place on “The President being elected by the Committee at the first Committee Meeting following the Annual General Meeting and shall served for a fixed period of three years. At the end of that period, the Committee may elect that person to serve for a further period of 12 months up to a maximum of three years.”

The Committee recommended adoption of this revision to the Consitution and 651 people voted in favour of a change.

718 Ballot Papers were received, equating to 19% of the 3,791 Ballot Papers issued. 

At Tuesday’s Annual General Meeting opening bowler Matt Quinn was awarded the annual Bernard Stimpson Award.

Many years ago, Mr Bernard S Stimpson left the Club a legacy requesting that the Trustees use the interest to award the player who had done the most by way of character, appearance and turn out to represent the Club.

Despite suffering injury setbacks in 2017, Quinn made himself available for all Commercial, Media and Charity requests that were asked of him.

Commenting on receiving the reward, Quinn said: “I don’t feel as if I should be recognised for my contributions but it is always nice. It was a difficult period being out injured, but I was happy to throw myself in to a number of different projects and contribute to the Club in different ways.

“It is an exciting time to be part of the Club and I am hopefully over my injury troubles now and returning to action in the next few weeks. I hope I can continue to make contributions both on and off the pitch going forward.”

Jamie Porter has been named as one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year this morning.

After a stunning first season in Division One, Porter took 75 wickets to lead Essex to the County Championship title and his stellar work has been recognised with one of cricket’s finest accolades.

Shai Hope, Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole join Porter on the list, and all have been acknowledged for their significant contributions to cricket over the past 12 months.

It has been a roller coaster year for the 24-year-old after being ruled out of the Lions Winter tour to Australia with a lower back stress fracture, but Porter believes this is the perfect boost ahead of an important 2018 season.

He said: “It is a great honour to receive this award. People that have received this accolade before me have gone down as legends of the game.

“The company I am in is of the highest calibre. The three women who were pivotal in helping England to the World Cup last summer, and Shai Hope, who has been brilliant across the year, and had an incredible series against England.

“I have had chance to reflect on 2017, and it was a special year for both the Club and myself. This is a great confidence boost, but I am not going to dwell too much on it now as I need to be ready for Yorkshire on Friday. I want to look ahead to another important season, and hopefully produce similar performances that will allow me to be in this position again next year.”

Essex’s Past Winners:
1898 F.G. Bull
1902 C.P. McGahey
1904 W. Mead
1905 P.A. Perrin
1915 J.W.H.T. Douglas
1922 H. Ashton
1923 C.A.G. Russell
1934 M.S. Nichols
1939 K. Farnes
1947 T.P.B. Smith
1950 T.E. Bailey
1956 D.J. Insole
1972 B. Taylor
1974 K.D. Boyce
1974 K.W.R. Fletcher
1978 K.S. McEwan
1979 J.K. Lever
1980 G.A. Gooch
1987 J.H. Childs
1988 N.A. Foster
1991 M.E. Waugh
1998 S.G. Law
2003 N. Hussain
2012 A.N. Cook

Essex County Cricket Club is thrilled to announce global logistics business, Woodland Group, have signed a three-year extension to their partnership agreement.

As long-term partners of the Club, Woodland Group will continue their sponsorship of Essex’s official One-Day Cup shirt and develop their existing branding around the ground.

The Eagles will look to go one better in 2018 and reach a Lord’s final, after losing out in the semi-finals in their Woodland branded kits in 2017.

Darrell Fox, Essex CCC Commercial Manager, is delighted to see Woodland commit their long-term future to the Club and said: “It is exciting news for the Club that Woodland Group have decided to extend their partnership with the County Champions.

“This is another show of commitment from one of our long-term partners that Essex County Cricket Club is a premium sporting Club to be a part of. All the staff at Woodland Group really buy into the Essex way, and understand what the Club is looking to achieve over the coming years.

“Hopefully this agreement can be celebrated by more success in the 2018 season and our partnership with Woodland Group will continue to grow over the coming years. Everyone at the Club would like to thank them for their continued support.”

Kevin Stevens, Chairman and CEO of Woodland Group, commented: “We are proud partners of Essex Cricket and very much look forward to continuing to support the club in growing its success and achieving its keen ambitions for 2018 and beyond.

“This long-standing relationship is built on a true passion for the sport, the team and our local grounds so close to Woodland’s UK Headquarters in Chelmsford. Our involvement with and support of Essex Cricket has become part of the Woodland culture and together, we look forward to further building on last year’s success.”

The 2018 Annual General Meeting is set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday) in the Woodland Group Pavilion Marquee.

Members of the Committee will be in attendance, which includes a chance to hear from David Acfield (President), John Faragher (Chairman), Derek Bowden (Chief Executive) and Treasurer (Ian Patterson).

Members are welcome to use the bar facilities in the Doug Insole Pavilion from 6pm, ahead of the AGM which will begin at 7pm.

This is a Members’ event and please bring your valid 2018 Membership Card to register on arrival. Attendees will not be required to pay for car parking at The Cloudfm County Ground and the River Gate entrance will be open for access on foot.

If you are still awaiting your 2018 Membership card, then please get in contact with the Membership & Ticketing Office – 01245 254010.

Essex team | Nick Browne (10), Adam Wheater (31), Tom Westley (21), Ravi Bopara (25), Dan Lawrence (28), Ryan ten Doeschate (27) (C), James Foster (7) (WK), Paul Walter (22), Simon Harmer (11), Jamie Porter (44), Jack Plom (77).

Umpires | David Millns & Paul Pollard

Toss | Essex won the toss who elected to bat

End of Match Report

Persistent rain ruined the match between Cambridge MCCU and Essex at Fenner’s, where only 66.3 overs of play were possible and not a ball was bowled on the second or third days.

The start of the match had been delayed until after Lunch on the opening day but further rain over the final two days, and often heavy, meant that underfoot conditions were left to deteriorate and leaving umpires David Millns and Paul Pollard with the most straight-forward of decisions to abort any hopes of play on either of the last two scheduled  days.

Indeed, the final day’s proceedings were called off as early as 8.45am on Monday.

So a frustrating time for Essex who had been looking to enjoy three days of action in the middle ahead of the County Championship opener with Yorkshire at Headingley on Friday. No one was more disappointed with the lack of play than Jack Plom. The 18 year-old England Under-19’s paceman had been handed his first-class debut for the match with the students but failed to get on the field as the weather dominated proceedings.

Also disappointment for Cambridge MCCU whose previous first-class match this season against Nottinghamshire had also fallen foul of the weather when not a ball was bowled on any of the three days.

In the curtailed action that did place on Saturday, Nick Browne took advantage of the limited play after Essex had won the toss and elected to bat. The 27-year-old left-handed opener was in commanding form reaching three figures having faced 122 balls with a six and 17 fours before retiring out with his score on 100.

Adam Wheater also enjoyed time in the middle with a fluent 50 as he and Browne opened the Essex account with a partnership of 122 before Wheater, with his score on 50, was dismissed.

Tom Westley scored 44 and Dan Lawrence 37 whilst Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate had reached 25 and 14 respectively in an unbroken partnership worth 39 runs before bad light on Saturday evening brought play to an early close with the Essex score on 283 for 4 wickets.

The weather dictated that there was to be no subsequent resumption leaving the match drawn.

Day Two Match Reaction | Anthony McGrath frustrated as rain brings a halt to proceedings

Day Two Match Report:

Play was called off for the day at 1pm after overnight and continuous rain in the morning left Fenner’s gloomy and soggy.

Umpires, David Millns and Paul Pollard, carried out a pitch inspection after an early lunch had been taken but the call to abandon play was purely a formality.

The third and final day is scheduled to commence at 11am on Monday with Essex resuming on 283 for 4. Ravi Bopara is on 25 and Ryan ten Doeschate is 14 not out.

Day One Match Report:

Nick Browne struck a chanceless century in an Essex score of 283 for 4 on the opening day of the match with Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s.

The left-hander was in excellent form timing the ball superbly to take advantage of good batting conditions and rarely offered the students attack a moment of encouragement.

Play was delayed until 1:55pm because of the wet outfield, but Browne and opening partner Adam Wheater were soon in control. All of the first 36 runs of the day came in boundaries and the half century stand arrived in the 13th over.

Wheater also looked in good form as the pair posted 122 in 24 overs before Wheater, having just completed a 68-ball half century, was caught at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Callum Guest.

Browne though continued to play with authority and arrived at his century on the stroke of Tea having by then faced 122 deliveries that included one 6 and 17 4’s. He then retired out at the interval with the score on 169.

Dan Lawrence joined Tom Westley and the pair added 58 in 15 overs before Westley, on 44, became the third wicket to fall when he gave a return catch to bowler Luke Chapman.

Lawrence, on 37, also fell to a caught and bowled dismissal with the impressive Sam Rippington the successful bowler on that occasion, leaving the County Champions on 244 for 4.

However, that was to be the last reward for the plucky students attack as Ravi Bopara and Ryan ten Doeschate took the team through to a premature close with bad light ending play some 7 minutes before the scheduled close.

Bopara will resume play 25 not out and the Essex skipper has 14 runs to his name.

Play is scheduled to resume at 11am on Sunday which will see Academy product, Jack Plom in action after being named in Essex’s starting XI to make his First Class debut.

Nick Browne’s tally of tons is up and running for 2018 after a tremendous century on Day One against Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s. The Essex opener retired after the Tea break on 100 and is looking to use this valuable time in the middle for next week’s clash against Yorkshire at Headingley.

Nick spoke after play to reflect on his innings with the team heading into Day Two on Sunday with the score at 283-4.

Play resumes at 11am on Sunday with Ravi Bopara (25) and Ryan ten Doeschate (14) resuming the batting.