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Aaron Beard set for season finale in Canterbury

Essex head into the final Specsavers County Championship match of this season this week against Kent with promotion secured and a chance to see more of the talent coming through the Essex ranks. Aaron Beard is high on that list and has been named in the squad ahead of the game.

With Graham Napier officially retired, and Jamie Porter struggling with an injury, it looks as if Essex’s new-ball attack will comprise 38-year-old David Masters and 18-year-old Aaron Beard for the first and last time.

Masters joins Napier in hanging up his boots after one last hurrah against his old county, and in the process Essex will lose two stalwarts who have contributed a combined total of 99 Championship wickets this season.

Beard, on the other hand, represents the future. The 18 year old pace bowler was named in a 17-strong Young Lions squad for winter training camps in Loughborough and Dubai ahead of a five-match tour in January and February to play India Under-19s.

Team mate Dan Lawrence benefited considerably by spending last winter playing for England in the Under-19 World Cup and Beard said: “That is the sort of step-up I want to make.

“Dan was in the Under-19s last year and look at what he’s done this year. He’s had a great season, hitting nearly 1,000 runs in the Championship and playing all formats, which is something I’d like to do in the future. I’ve just got to wait until I get my chance like Dan and take it like him.”

Beard has made three first-class appearances for Essex this summer, all in May before he joined up with the England Under-19s to play the series against Sri Lanka. He took nine wickets at an average of 33.33, including career-best figures of four for 62 against the senior Sri Lankan tourists.

He said: “At the start of the season I didn’t expect to break into the first-team squad or make my debut. I thought I was just going to try and play regularly for the second XI and work with the coaches. But I had the opportunity to get three first-class games under my belt – and hopefully a fourth tomorrow.

“It will be great to play with Hoddy because he has been such a big part of the Essex bowling attack for so many years and someone I look up to for advice. I’ve had chats with Napes and Hoddy because they’ve been there before and they know what I need to do.

“They’ve said I’ve got the basic skills and the ability to do what I need to do to get wickets. They’ve told me I just need to be patient, work had and not fall into bad habits, especially in respect to my action.

“They are big players who have done really well at the top end of cricket for many years and we’ll miss them, but we have players who can hopefully fill the hole left.”

Beard has enjoyed his first injury-free summer after enduring two operations for a double stress fracture in his back between the ages of 15 and 17. “It’s been a long wait,” he says, “but it’s been worth it.”

Next season Essex will be playing in Division One and Beard said: “It’s going to be a big step-up for me. There are some big international players in that division and I’m going to have to up my game and play as well as I can to make sure I fit in straight away.

“My dream is to play for England. That’s what drives me and hopefully I can train as hard as I can, get as strong as I can, bowl as quickly as I can and take as many wickets as I can – then who knows?”

 

MATCH PREVIEW | Kent v Essex

Essex travel to Canterbury to face Kent in their final match of the season in party mood having already secured promotion.

Despite defeat by Glamorgan at The E.C.G last week, the six point haul from the match was sufficient to ensure that the 2017 season will see the County compete in Division One for the first time since 2010.

Head coach Chris Silverwood paid tribute to the efforts of the players and staff.

“Our achievement is the culmination of a lot of hard work by the players and also by everyone behind the scenes at the club and I don’t think anyone can deny that we are worthy champions,” he insisted.

“Clinching promotion was a wonderful feeling. It was something that we were all determined to achieve when we started the season and now we have done just that, we are both delighted and excited about next year.

“We have an exciting time ahead of us at Essex cricket. We are going to be tested by the best sides in the country and it will be a challenge for our players. For them, it will not be a matter of just trying to raise their game but generally just getting even better at what they are doing.

“Personally, I am very proud to be part of the Essex success but the hard work regarding planning for next year is already underway. Now we are back in Division One, we have to make sure that, not only do we stay there but that we are competitive and challenge to win it.

“There is a big challenge ahead of us but it’s one that we will relish.”

Essex will be missing two key figures when they return to Division one as both David Masters and Graham Napier  have announced their retirement at the end of this season.

Chris Silverwood acknowledged their contributions over the years. “They have been wonderful servants to the county and, of course, both will be sorely missed,” he stated.

“They have been excellent professionals and are perfect examples to young cricketers in both their performances and attitude.”

Essex have lost just one of their last nine matches against Kent with 4 wins and four draws and whilst the Division Two champions Essex have won their last two away games by an innings margin.

The retiring Graham Napier is the top wicket taker in the division this season with 63, overall he has 69 in first-class cricket this season, by far his most productive campaign since his debut in 1997.

The match with Kent starts on Tuesday at 10.30 a.m.

Essex squad:
Ryan ten Doeschate (27) Captain
Adam Wheater (31) Wicket-keeper
Varun Chopra (6)
Kishen Velani (8)
Dave Masters (9)
Nick Browne (10)
Aaron Beard (14)
Tom Westley (21)
Paul Walter (22)
Ravi Bopara (25)
Dan Lawrence (28)
Matt Dixon (30)
Will Rhodes (-)

David Masters to retire at end of campaign

David Masters will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2016 campaign.

Masters has decided to call time on his career after 16 successful years at the highest level which has included representing Essex, Kent and Leicestershire.

The opening-bowler made his first-class debut for Kent against Surrey in 2000 and made is Essex debut in 2008 against Northamptonshire.

Masters has taken 668 first-class and 176 List A wickets in his career to date, at an average of 25.36 and 32.38 respectively. A bowler who moves the ball both ways off the seam, Masters was once in England contention after taking 93 wickets in a single County Championship season.

Having been at the club since 2008, Masters celebrated his benefit year in 2013 and has become a popular figure among supporters and players alike.

Chris Silverwood is sad to see Masters retiring but understands his reasoning’s behind it.

He said: “Dave has been a wonderful servant to the club and also the game. Year after year he has been integral to any successes of the team.

“He is an intelligent cricketer who has taken an abundance of wickets throughout his career. I have been fortunate enough to work with Dave in my six years at the club and wish him well for whatever he moves into going forward.”

Masters understandably spent time thinking about the decision and what was best for both parties moving forward.

He added: “It is always a difficult decision to call time on a career you have loved. I have been fortunate to spend 20 years at the professional level with three fabulous clubs.

“After joining Essex in 2008 I feel I found my home. Everyone at the club has treated me brilliantly from the fans, to the coaching staff and the office staff as well.

“The members have been exceptional and the crowd here at Chelmsford really is the best in the country. I leave the team in a good place with the emergence of a number of fast bowlers at the club. To retire after winning the Division Two title is something you can only dream of.”

Match Report | Essex v Glamorgan

Essex v Glamorgan | Specsavers County Championship | The Essex County Ground

Essex team | Nick Browne (10), Varun Chopra (6), Tom Westley (21), Ravi Bopara (25), Dan Lawrence (28), Ryan ten Doeschate* (27), Adam Wheater (31), James Foster + (7), Graham Napier (17), David Masters (9), Jamie Porter (44).

Glamorgan team | Nick Selman (9), Jacques Rudolph* (4), Will Bragg (22), Aneurin Donald (12), David Lloyd (14), Kiran Carlson (-), Craig Meschede (44), Mark Wallace + (18), Owen Morgan (29), Timm van der Gugten (64). Michael Hogan (31).

Toss | Toss contested, Glamorgan won the toss and bat

Umpires | Russell Evans & Steve O’Shaughnessy

Day Four | Close of Play Report

An enthralling match ended with Essex losing by 11 runs in their Division Two Championship battle against Glamorgan at The Essex County Ground.

Left chasing a target of 264, they were bowled out for 252 with 19 deliveries remaining.

The last pair of David Masters and Jamie Porter came together with 35 still required but they were denied victory when the latter was yorked by Timm van der Gugten.

Having clinched the title two days earlier by picking up six bonus points, Essex would not been too upset by their defeat, while Glamorgan will have been jubilant having lost five wickets for 34 on the opening day.

Essex seemed poised for a fourth successive victory as Varun Chopra and Nick Browne took the score to 91 before being separated.

But after Browne was caught by Will Bragg in the slips off van der Gugten for 30 – an innings that saw him pass 1,000 Championship runs for the second successive season – wicket fell at regular intervals as the Welsh county seized the initiative.

Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara found themselves back in the Pavilion before the 100 was amassed, lbw victims of Michael Hogan and van der Gugten respectively and that paved the way for Hogan to make a telling impact.

First he bowled Chopra for 79, an innings containing 10 boundaries, before ripping out the middle order on his way to final figures of 5 for 45 from 22 overs.

Dan Lawrence was bowled for 30, Adam Wheater fell to a return catch after a patient 18 and Ryan ten Doeschate chased a wide delivery to be caught behind by mark Wallace for 23.

That left Graham Napier, in his final match, to walk out with Glamorgan players providing a guard of honour. But there was to be no fairytale ending.

Nursing a calf strain and with Lawrence acting as a runner, he had scored 12 before he was eighth out on 223 as van der Gugten trapped lbw on his way to figures of 4 for 56.

When James Foster edged Craig Meschede to Wallace six runs later, Masters, who was also given a guard of honour, and Porter found themselves trying to pull off a famous victory

But despite their efforts, Essex were left reflecting on their third Championship of the season.

Earlier Glamorgan added just three more runs in the morning after resuming on 293 for 9, Wallace being run out for 79 attempting a second run after he struck 11 fours.

Day Four | Tea Report

Champions Essex added 62 runs in the post-lunch session but lost four wickets to arrive at tea on 154 for 5 with Adam Wheater 2 not out and Ryan ten Doeschate 3 not out.

The home side suffered two setbacks immediately after lunch with Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara both falling cheaply.

Westley was leg before to Michael Hogan for a duck while Bopara, who had scored a single, departed in similar manner to a delivery that kept low from Timm van der Gugten.

That left the county 98-3 and as the county continued to stutter, two more wickets went down before the 150 was raised.

Dan Lawrence, who did not look entirely comfortable and benefited from a couple of fortuitous edges was bowled by Hogan for 30 and the fast bowler struck again to end the fine innings fashioned by Varun Chopra.

The opener had scored 79 from 128 balls with the assistance of 10 fours before he lost his off stump.

His departure left Essex 147 for 5 and still 117 short of their target.

It was announced at tea that Ryan ten Doeschate has signed a year’s extension to his contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2018 season.

Day Four | Lunch Report

Division Two champions Essex were closing in on their fourth successive victory after being left a target of 264 to beat Glamorgan at The E.C.G.

They reached lunch on 92 for one, Nick Browne falling to the last ball before the interval when he was caught in the slips by Will Bragg dabbing at a Timm van der Gugten  delivery.

Browne made 30 and as he reached 20 he was able to celebrate 1,000 Championship runs for the season.

Chopra, having returned to the county following his release by Warwickshire, batted with increasing confidence to arrive at the interval on 58 from 83 balls. He has so far struck nine boundaries.

Earlier Glamorgan added just three more runs on resuming on 293 for 9. The innings was brought to an end when Mark Wallace was run out for 78 attempting a second  run after steering David Masters to deep backward point.

But the accurate throw from Dan Lawrence left James Foster to complete the run out as the batsman made a despairing dive to reach his ground.

Wallace’s innings included 11 fours and spanned 91 balls.

Essex will resume after lunch requiring a further 172 to win with two sessions of play remaining.

Day Three Review | Jamie Porter hopes Essex will complete the win on the final day’s play

Day Three | Close of Play Report

Having claimed the Division Two title yesterday, Essex go into the final day of the battle with Glamorgan at The Essex County Ground, hoping to secure a fourth successive Championship victory.

The Welsh county reached the close on 293 for 9, an overall lead of 260 and with the new ball due immediately in the morning, Essex will be hoping to remove the last pair before setting out on the quest to secure the seventh Championship win of the season.

After Essex had been bowled out for 319 to earn a first innings lead of 33, they pressed home their advantage through the valiant efforts of Ryan ten Doeschate, Jamie Porter, David Masters and Ravi Bopara on another stamina sapping day.

Following the early departure of Nick Selman, a victim of Masters, Jacques Rudolph and Will Bragg carried the total well into three figures before Essex were able to celebrate another wicket. And then both batsmen were dismissed in ten Doeschate’s opening over. The first delivery had Rudolph chopping the ball onto his stumps when he had scored 56 and his sixth delivery saw Bragg edging to James Foster for 54, immediately after reaching his 1,000 Championship runs for the season.

That left the visitors 130 for three and pointed the way to a collapse which saw them recoil to 163 for 7. Porter bowled Aneurin Donald, then Kiran Carlson was caught behind off Bopara before Foster was able to celebrate his third victim of the innings as Porter found the edge of Craig Meschede’s bat to remove his opponent for a duck.

When David Lloyd was removed leg before by Bopara for 25, it seemed odds on that Glamorgan would be bowled out cheaply.

But their lower order, inspired by Mark Wallace, performed manfully to make a superb fight of it.

An eighth wicket stand with Owen Morgan produced 54 runs before Masters trapped the latter leg before for 18 and then Timm van der Gugten joined Wallace to put together a half-century stand. They added 68 before van der Gugten was dismissed just before the close for 32 by the spin of Dan Lawrence as Bopara accepted an easy catch at mid-off.

Wallace, having completed his half-century from 49 balls and gathered 11 fours, will continue his innings in the morning having scored 75 with Michael Hogan still to get off the mark.

Earlier in the day, Essex had resumed on 275 for 6 and ten Doeschate added 8 runs to his overnight unbeaten century before he fell to van der Gugten for 117 after hitting 12 fours.

Graham Napier departed without score to Meschede, then Masters offered a return catch to Hogan while Foster, whose partnership with ten Doeschate had produced 104 runs, was last out for 64 to leave Meschede with career-best figures of 5 for 84.

Although the Division Two champions will have been disappointed that the Glamorgan tail wagged so freely, they still have every reason to be satisfied with their efforts on a day when leading wicket-taker Napier was unable to bowl due to his calf strain.

Day Three | Tea Report

Jacques Rudolph and Will Bragg shared in a 91 run partnership for the second wicket after lunch before it was brought to an end.

The visitors had resumed on 36 for 1 and it was Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate who achieved the breakthrough with his first delivery of the innings. Rudolph had just completed his half-century with 10 fours, many of them well-times drives, when – with his score on 56 – he played on attempting another aggressive stroke.

With the last ball of the same over, Glamorgan lost another wicket when Will Bragg edged a ten Doeschate delivery into the gloves of James Foster to depart for 54 although during that innings, he completed 1,000 Championship runs for the season.

Bragg’s innings contained eight boundaries and left Glamorgan 130 for 3.

Nineteen runs later, Essex struck again to leave them nursing hopes that they could still force victory.

This time it was Jamie Porter who struck when he bowled Aneurin Donald for eight.

Tea arrived with the Welsh county 150 for 4 and an overall lead of 117 runs.

David Lloyd will resume on 13 and Kiran Carlson is 1 not out.

Day Three | Lunch Report

Newly crowned Division 2 Champions Essex gained a narrow first innings lead of 33 over Glamorgan in their clash at The Essex County Ground.

Resuming on 275 for 6, they were bowled out for 319 in response to Welsh county’s 286.

Skipper Ryan ten Doeschate carried his overnight score to 117 containing a dozen boundaries in an effort spanning 171 balls before he fell leg before wicket to Timm van der Gugten.

His partnership with James Foster was worth 104 in 34 overs during which he recorded his fourth Championship hundred of the summer.

Graham Napier, who was absent yesterday because of a calf injury, arrived in the middle to take ten Doeschate’s place but was still looking to get off the mark when he was dismissed by Craig Meschde when he cut a ball to deep third man.

David Masters joined Foster and a third batting point was achieved before Masters was caught and bowled by Michael Hogan for 4. Foster’s innings of 64 lasting 162 minutes that included five fours and two sixes, was last out attacking Meschede. It was a success that gave the paceman career-best figures of 5 for 84.

When they went in again, Nick Selman and Jacques Rudolph cleared the arrears without alarm but immediately afterwards, Spelman was trapped leg before by Masters in the final over before lunch and taken with the visitors 36 for 1 and Rudolph 27 not out.

Day Two | Match Highlights

Day Two Reaction | Chris Silverwood talks after Essex clinch promotion

Day Two | Close of Play Report

Essex are Division Two champions. They clinched the title at 5.27 p.m. when they reached 250 in their reply to Glamorgan’s 286 all out total at The E.C.G.

That enabled them to claim their fifth bonus point of the match and that guaranteed them a place in the top-flight  following a 7-year absence.

Fittingly, it was skipper Ryan ten Doeschate who scored the run which secured the title after he arrived to do battle with his side in trouble at 85 for 5.

His response was to move beyond 50 for the seventh successive match as he went on to reach 109 not out by the close of play. It was his fifth Championship century of the campaign and this one arrived for 137 deliveries and contained 15 fours.

He received fine support from Adam Wheater upon his return from Hampshire and their partnership was to end Glamorgan’s hopes of building on their early successes.

Wheater marked his re-association with Essex with several meaty blows in a partnership of 100 in 26 overs. His 59 included 8 boundaries and came to an end when he square cut spinner Owen Morgan into the hands of Nick Selman at point.

Wheater’s departure heralded the arrival of James Foster who was to strike the first 6 of the match  – that against Michael Hogan – as he and his captain ensured Essex would be  gracing the First Division next season.

The captain’s magnificent effort came after Craig Meschade had whipped out the top order with three wickets with only 34 on the board.

Varun Chopra, back with the county following his release by Warwickshire, was trapped lbw for a single, Tom Westley was caught behind by Mark Wallace, and the same combination accounted for Nick Browne.

When Dan Lawrence was well caught by Anueirin Donald off Timm van der Gugten for 9 and Ravi Bopara was stumped for 25 when facing the spin of Morgan, Essex looked in serious trouble.

But ten Doeschate, Wheater and Foster were to end fears of a major calamity, Essex ending the day on 275 for 6, just 11 runs behind. Foster will resume tomorrow on 33, the stand so far worth 90.

Earlier Glamorgan lost their remaining wickets for the addition of 30 runs after resuming on 256 for 7.

Jamie Porter brought to an end a partnership of 138 between Kiran Carlson and Morgan by uprooting the latter’s middle stump for 55.

Then David Masters polished off the innings by having Carlson caught behind for 119 and bowling  Hogan to end with 2 for 58, Napier claimed 4 for 46 and Porter 3 for 67.

Day Two | Tea Report

Essex reached the tea interval on 170 for 5 having added 124 runs in the afternoon session whilst losing two wickets.

The first victim of the afternoon was Dan Lawrence who had made only nine when he was well caught at second slip by Aneurin Donald off Timm van Der Gugten to leave Essex 63 for 4.

Ravi Bopara had moved to 25 without looking in any trouble but then fell victim to an ugly stroke against Morgan and was easily stumped by Mark Wallace.

That left the county 85 for 5 but Adam Wheater, playing his first innings since his return from Hampshire, carried the total into three figures with the help of a couple of fine drives.

But he should have departed on 23. He skied a long hop to van Der Gugten who got a hand on it at mid-on but was unable to complete the catch.

Wheater made good his escape and together with skipper Ryan ten Doeschate, a half-century stand was realised in 13 overs. The landmark was reached by ten Doeschate  sweeping Morgan to the boundary as he joined Wheater in the 30’s.

Wheater then drove and glanced to the boundary before completing his 50 from 83 deliveries with 8 fours.

At tea, he was 53 not out and ten Doeschate 43, the interval arriving with Essex needing a further 80 runs to clinch the two batting points needed to claim the Division Two title.

Day Two | Lunch Report

Leaders Essex did not get off to the best of starts when they replied to Glamorgan’s total of 286 all out in their Division Two County Championship duel at Chelmsford.

They lost Varun Chopra for a single, Tom Westley for four and Nick Browne for 22 with only 34 runs in the board and all were victims to Craig Meschade before the home side arrived at lunch on 46 for three.

Resuming on 256 for seven, the visitors lost Owen Morgan in the third over of the morning as Jamie Porter brought to an end a partnership that yielded 133 runs in 47 overs.

The paceman ripped out Morgan’s middle stump to end an innings of 55 that contained 10 boundaries.

It was left to David Masters to claim the final two wickets with successive deliveries. First, he ended the superb effort of teenager Kiran Carlson, who 101 overnight, moved to 119 before he was caught down the leg side by James Foster. His innings spanned 5 and a quarter hours, 229 balls and included 16 fours.

The next delivery saw off Michael Hogan as Chopra accepted a slip catch.

Graham Napier, who did not take the field because of a calf strain, finished with 4 for 46, Porter 3 for 67 and Masters 2 for 52.

When Essex replied, Chopra, making his first appearance on rejoining the county following his release by Warwickshire, departed leg before wicket and then Westley was strangled down the leg side and was caught behind by wicket-keeper Mark Wallace.

Meschade was to strike again when he found the edge to have Browne snapped up by Wallace for 22 leaving Dan Lawrence and Ravi Bopara to take Essex through to lunch.

Lawrence will resume after lunch on four and Bopara on eight.

Day One Review | Mixed emotions for Graham Napier on Day One

Day One | Close of Play Report

Despite the efforts of Graham Napier, Glamorgan teenager Kiran Carlson claimed the major honours on the opening day of Essex’s Division Two County Championship clash at The Essex County Ground.

After the visitors found themselves in dire straits at 34 for 5 – and that after winning the toss – the 18 year-old right-hander led a magnificent recovery with a century that helped lead his side to 256 for 7 when bad light brought play to a close with 6 overs still scheduled.

Carlson displayed great composure and concentration to make 101 not out, his chief support coming from Owen Morgan who will resume in the morning on 51.

It had looked so different in the first hour or so as Napier, making his final appearance at Chelmsford before retiring, roared in to take three wickets in the space of nine deliveries.

Glamorgan openers Nick Selman and Jacques Rudolph had carried the total to 30 when Napier was called into the line of attack. With his fifth delivery, he had Rudolph caught in the slips by Tom Westley and his next delivery trapped Will Bragg leg before wicket.

Aneurin Donald was to deny the paceman a hat-trick by driving to the cover boundary but that proved his only scoring stroke before he was comprehensively bowled.

Some semblance of pride was restored to the Glamorgan batting by a stand of 49 but then Craig Meschede became Napier’s fourth wicket, paving the way fior Mark Wallace to add 44 with Carlson before he was bowled by Ravi Bopara to leave the visitors 127 for 7.

Thereafter, it was Carlson and Morgan who lit up the stage with a stand that has so far yielded 129 runs.

Carlson laced his half-century with 10 boundaries although he did survive a “life” when Dan Lawrence failed to hold onto a difficult chance in the gully when he had scored 67.

Morgan, who also had an escape when Nick Browne put down a chance in the slips with the batsman on 7, was to prove a fine ally to Carlson as both batsmen made Essex rue their missed opportunities.

The Essex attack was weakened when Napier limped off the field with a leg injury just after tea and was unable to play a further part in the day’s proceedings.

But no-one could begrudge Carlson his century and he thus became the youngest player to make a first-class century for the county at the age of 18 years and 119 days. It was a marvellous achievement considering he bagged a “pair” in his last match against Gloucestershire.

He has so far struck 15 fours in his 195-ball stay while Morgan’s effort has brought him 9 fours.

The day began with Essex requiring 6 points to clinch the title but the start was delayed by 90 minutes after the van carrying Glamorgan’s kit was held up by an accident at Brentwood on the A12.

It ended with Essex looking somewhat jaded as bad light brought an early close with 6 overs remaining but still very much on course to tie up the outstanding four points required to take the title.

Day One | Tea Report

The visitors were indebted to a maiden first-class half-century from Kiran Carlson as they reached tea on 185 for 7 on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash at Chelmsford.

Resuming after lunch on 57 for 5, the Welsh county’s sixth wicket pair had extended their partnership to 49 when Essex gained their first wicket of the session.

Once more it was Graham Napier who made the breakthrough, picking up his fourth wicket of the innings when Craig Meschede clipped a ball off his toes to Jamie Porter at deep backward square leg.

That left the total on 83 for 6 but 18 year-old Carlson was to underline his promise with some sweetly-timed strokes on both sides of the wicket as he and Mark Wallace  put together a useful stand.

It yielded 44 runs, of which Wallace contributed 29, before he was bowled by Ravi Bopara with the score on 127.

The impressive Carlson was to complete his half-century containing 10 fours shortly afterwards. It came off 77 balls and followed a “pair” in his previous game against Gloucestershire.

Owen Morgan helped Carlson add useful runs although he did enjoy one-let-off against the Essex attack.

He had scored 7 out of a total of 145 for 7 when he was dropped at second slip by Nick Browne when facing the bowling of Bopara. But he went on to capitalise on his good fortune and prove a frustration to the league leaders as he and Carlson posted an unbroken partnership of 58 runs at tea.

Carlson has so far scored 64 and Morgan is 26 not out, the latter having so far batted for just over an hour.

Day One | Lunch Report

Graham Napier made a dramatic entrance to his final home appearance before retirement as Essex took firm control of their Specsavers Division Two County Championship clash against Glamorgan at Chelmsford.

The visitors were reduced to 57 for 5 from 22 overs at the lunch interval with Kiran Carlson unbeaten on 15 and Craig Meschede 8 not out.

The medium-pace bowler took two wickets with successive deliveries in his first over after the visitors had moved to 30 without loss after winning the toss.

Then in his third over, he bowled Aneurin Donald, who had denied Napier his hat-trick with a cover drive for four.

That dismissal left Glamorgan with half their side back in the pavilion for 34 after Jamie Porter had picked up two wickets.

The start of the match was delayed for 90 minutes because the visitors kit van was held up by a traffic accident on the A12.

When play did eventually get underway, Essex, who went into the match requiring 6 points to make sure of the title, soon had their supporters voicing their approval.

It was Napier who broke the opening stand by having Jacques Rudolph caught in the slips by Tom Westley before trapping Will Bragg with his next delivery.

Then it was Porter’s turn to make an impact. He broke through the defence of opener Nick Selman and then had David Lloyd well caught low down by Varun Copra at first slip.

Napier’s removal of Donald was his third wicket in nine deliveries and took his season’s Championship tally to 62 victims.

In addition to Chopra, who had been released early by Warwickshire following his signing of a three-year contract with Essex from 2017, Adam Wheater was also named in the Essex starting line-up following his return from Hampshire on a two-year deal.

Due to the late start, the day’s play has been reduced to a minimum of 88 overs.

Tendo fired up for Glamorgan clash

Essex head into the final home match of the season knowing exactly what needs to be done to clinch promotion to Division One, returning to top flight Championship cricket since 2010.

Just 6 points are required in the match against Glamorgan to prevent challengers, Kent and Sussex catching up.

Captain, Ryan ten Doeschate has spoke ahead of the clash to talk about the side’s preparation and focus when heading into the match on Monday.

“It’s a great position to be in,” admitted ten Doeschate. “The secret is not to focus too much on the six points. Obviously there is the temptation just to go out and get the six points, but we’ll approach the game like we have every game this season.

“We’ll try and set the game up and push things on the first two days. If we follow our processes, and play to our ability, those bonus points should take care of themselves.

“You can’t not acknowledge the fact we only need six points, but we’ll try and steer away from thinking like that.”

Securing the six points this week would mean Essex complete the season’s main aim with a match to spare, against Kent in a week’s time. It was a seemingly strong possibility that the team would need to overcome second placed Kent in the final match of the season, however Northamptonshire’s 10 wicket victory last week boosted Essex hopes.

Ten Doeschate said: “At one stage we thought it was going to take 230 points to win it, and up to three weeks ago there were five teams still in there.

“But our results against Leicestershire and Worcestershire put them out of contention. Kent have applied pressure all the way through, but then slipped up last week.

“Before then we thought we would have to win this game [against Glamorgan] and go to Kent and get a result. But for Northants to do the job for us is obviously great. We still have a little bit or work to do, but we’re delighted with the position we’re in now.”

The batsmen have laid the foundation for Essex’s success with a plethora of big totals, but ten Doeschate said: “Probably most importantly, and least noticed, has been the bowlers who have come on and mopped up a second innings, which is always tough.

“You look at all the county games this season and see how many teams have got into good positions and couldn’t finish it off.”

The Captain was also happy to welcome two familiar faces back into the Essex ranks with Varun Chopra and Adam Wheater set to make that debuts once again, after resigning in recent weeks.

“Certainly the plan from Silvers [Chris Silverwood], and even above Silvers, was to prepare for Division One cricket and we were always looking to strengthen. Getting our own guys, Chops and Wheats, back is great and we are on the look-out for bowlers to go with the exciting potential we have in Beard, Dixon and Quinn.”

Chopra and Wheater are likely to make their debuts against Glamorgan, and ten Doeschate admits: “There is a strong keenness to get them in, but at the same time we want to play our best team, one we think is going to win this game.

“The sentimental thing is that it will be hard to leave out the guys who have performed so well so far, but I think the squad understands that the primary goal is to win another game of cricket.”

You can watch Essex’s hunt for promotion in the final home match of the season. The action starts on Monday with tickets for each of the 4 days available to buy now online. Tickets are priced £13 Adults, £10 Young Adults and £5 Juniors, when purchased in advance. More information – here.

 

Adam Wheater Signs Two Year Contract

Essex Cricket are delighted to announce that wicket-keeper batsman, Adam Wheater has signed for the Club on a two year deal until the 2018 season.

The Club previously announced that Wheater would be joining Essex on a loan deal for the final two Specsavers County Championship matches, but are now pleased to confirm that the in-form man will not be rejoining Hampshire after his loan spell.

The 26 year old has played over 100 First-Class matches, including experience at Division One level which could be crucial if Essex seal promotion in the coming weeks.

Wheater said, “It’s great to be back at Essex, where I started my career. I’d like to thank Hampshire for their understanding of moving to Essex and wish them every success in the future.”

Head Coach, Chris Silverwood spoke on the permanent signing of Wheater, “To be able to bring Adam back to the Club on a permanent basis is brilliant for us, he comes into the squad with Division One experience, which is exactly what we need should we get promoted.”

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Aaron Beard Signs 1 Year Contract Extension

Young fast bowler Aaron Beard has put pen to paper on a 1 year contract extension keeping him at the Club until the end of the 2018 season.

Beard played 3 First Class matches for the Club this season, including a breathtaking debut against Sri Lanka at The E.C.G in which he ripped out 4 of the top 6 Sri Lankan batsmen, finishing with figures of 4-62. 

The exciting young bowler was rewarded on his early season performances with a call up to the England U19s squad where he opened the bowling in both the Test Series and the One-Day Series.

Aaron was delighted to extend his stay at the Club, “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to continue to develop my game with such a great Club, hopefully when my chance comes I will be able to impress and make the step up”.

Head Coach Chris Silverwood was excited that Beard has committed his future to Essex, “Aaron has worked incredibly hard to be at the level he is at such a young age. Against Sri Lanka he showed what an exciting talent he is and what huge potential he has”.

Exciting Essex duo pen contract extensions

Young Essex duo Jamie Porter and Dan Lawrence have extended their existing contracts by further years.

Both Porter and Lawrence have signed for an extra year with the former’s contract now running until 2019 whilst the latter’s will expire at the end of the 2018 season.

The duo continue to go from strength to strength as the opening bowler has taken 50 Specsavers County Championship for the second successive campaign and Lawrence has scored close to 800 runs.

Both have also seen their form recognised as they were recently named on the Specsavers One to Watch shortlist.

Porter is thrilled to extend his contract for a further year and said: “There is nowhere I would rather continue my career at the moment. I love being part of this squad of players and hope we can continue to enjoy success together.

“On a personal front I am ecstatic to take 50 wickets in successive Specsavers County Championship seasons and hope I can continue that over the coming years.”

Lawrence is equally delighted to sign for an extra year and added: “I’m very happy to have extended my contract for another year. I am extremely excited to be able to contribute towards winning as many trophies as possible over what will hopefully be a very successful few years for the club.”

Vote for either player in the Specsavers Ones to Watch shortlist here.

Dixon signs one-year contract extension

Essex CCC are pleased to announce Matt Dixon has penned a one-year contract extension meaning he will stay with the club until the end of the 2018 season.

Having joined the club in March of this year, the Australian has previously represented Australia U17 & U19 and more recently played for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash. In the final group match he took 3/32, including the wickets of Luke Wright & Kevin Pietersen.

The Perth-born bowler has taken nine first-class wickets for the club in his brief experience so far and will look to add to that in 2017.

Dixon is grateful for the faith shown by Chris Silverwood and the Essex fans after what has proved a difficult season individually.

He said: “Obviously I am very pleased to extend my contract. It gives me a chance to spend a bit more time in Essex and repay the faith the coaching staff, chief executive and fans have shown in me.

“This season hasn’t quite been the season I planned for after various injury problems. I am looking to stay here over the winter and work extremely hard with Chris Silverwood so I can hit the ground running next year.”

Match Report | Leicestershire v Essex

Leicestershire v Essex | Specsavers County Championship | The Fischer County Ground, Leicester

Leicestershire team | Paul Horton (2), Angus Robson (8), Neil Dexter (17), Mark Cosgrove* (55), Mark Pettini (6), Ned Eckersley + (33), Lewis Hill (23), Ben Raine (44), Richard Jones (25), Dieter Klein (77), Charlie Shreck (4).

Essex team | Nick Browne (10), Alastair Cook (26), Tom Westley (21), Ravi Bopara (25), Dan Lawrence (28), Ryan ten Doeschate* (27), James Foster + (7), Will Rhodes (-), Graham Napier (17), David Masters (9), Jamie Porter (44).

Umpires | Nigel Cook and Billy Taylor

Toss | Uncontested and Essex chose to bowl

Result | Essex win by an innings and 10 runs

Day Three | Match Highlights 

Day Three | Close of Play Report

Table-topping Essex took a massive step closer towards Division One cricket in 2017 when they beat closest rivals Leicestershire by an innings and ten runs with more than a day to spare.

Starting their second innings with a deficit of 185 runs, the Foxes were bowled out in 49.3 overs after David Masters and Jamie Porter shared 8 wickets with the latter taking his match tally to 8 for 99 and leaving him requiring one wicket for 50 Championship wickets this season.

The home side lost their first wicket when former Leicestershire seamer Masters found an excellent line outside off stump Paul Horton edged a catch to give James Foster the first of his five victims in the innings.

By lunch, the Foxes were 53 for 2 after Graham Napier had Angus Robson caught at first slip by Alastair Cook for 21 ending what proved to be the highest partnership of the innings and worth 46 runs.

The session between lunch and tea lasted just 7 overs because of rain and tea was taken early but by then, Essex had also captured the wicket of Mark Cosgrove when the Australian, on 27, walked in front of his stumps to be struck on the pads by Masters.

Alastair Cook left the action during the break to attend an ECB meeting to discuss the proposed England winter tour to Bangladesh and was replaced by Kishen Velani who was to play a role in two of the wickets to fall subsequently.

On the resumption, wickets fell at regular intervals with Porter accounting for Mark Pettini (6) and Ned Eckersley (12) who was caught by Velani at square leg before Neil Dexter was removed for 44 as the hosts reeled to 116 for 7.

Ben Raine and Richard Jones added 25 to delay the inevitable end but a horrendous mix-up saw Raine run out by Velani’s throw from mid-wicket to the striker’s end with both batsmen in close proximity at the non-strikers end of the pitch.

Porter, having been rested, returned to have Jones caught behind for 19 leaving Masters to claim the final wicket when Charlie Shreck was pinned in front of his stumps.

Masters finished with 4 for 39 and Porter 4 for 49.

Earlier in the day, Dan Lawrence and Graham Napier secured the fifth batting point for Essex after they resumed on 368 for 8 although it was to prove a nail-biting wait before the 400 was reached in the permitted overs. Seven runs were needed from the final available over and Napier collected a 2 and then a boundary before a scrambled single from the final delivery of the 110th over gave Essex the eighth bonus point of the match.

Napier was eventually caught for 31 before Dan Lawrence’s magnificent innings of 154 spanning 304 balls containing 19 boundaries and occupying 6 hours and 20 minutes was brought to an end as Essex were bowled out for 423.

Lawrence had played a crucial role in transforming the innings that, at one stage, appeared in trouble at 68 for 5 before he underpinned the telling recovery that was to pave the way for the memorable success.

Essex took 24 points from the match to extend their lead at the top of the league and bring the anticipation of top-flight cricket to The Essex County Ground ever closer.

Day Three | Tea Report

Despite a truncated session between lunch and tea when only 7 overs were possible, Essex claimed another wicket when Mark Cosgrave. The Australian was pinned in front of his stumps by David Masters for 27 before tea was taken, with the score 99 for 3 after rain had brought a halt to proceeding.

The dismissal of Foxes skipper Cosgrove, who had hit six fours in going to 26 from just 23 balls reduced Leicestershire to 88-3, still 97 runs short of making Essex bat again. Soon afterwards a shower saw umpires Billy Taylor and Nick Cook take the players off for an early tea, with a potential 53 overs remaining in the day’s play.

Former Leicestershire seamer Masters had made a quick breakthrough when Leicestershire started their second innings 185 runs adrift. He found movement to take the edge of Paul Horton’s bat as the opener pushed forward in defence, and shortly before lunch, Angus Robson pushed at a Graham Napier delivery and edged a straightforward catch to Alastair Cook at first slip.

Day Three | Lunch Report

Another excellent period of play for Essex in their County Championship top-of-the-table clash with Leicestershire saw the home side arrive at lunch on 53 for 2 in their second innings after Essex had been dismissed for 423.

David Masters and Graham Napier removed both openers to leave the home side trailing by 132 runs as Ryan ten Doeschate’s men moved a step closer to securing promotion as they looked to complete their fifth win of the summer in the competition.

The visitors have already taken maximum bonus points from this encounter against a side that started the match in second place in Division Two and it was Dan Lawrence and Napier that achieved the final batting point after they resumed on 368 for 8 at the start of play this morning.

When the final available over for bonus points commenced, the visitors still required a further seven runs but Napier collected two runs from the first ball before striking the third delivery to the boundary. However it took a scrambled single off the last ball to lift the total onto 400 and book the fifth and final batting point. It was a remarkable transformation to an innings that had seen Essex in trouble at 68 for 5 at one stage.

With his job done with the bat, Napier was finally caught at mid-wicket for 31 but Lawrence continued his outstanding innings to reach 154 before he drove to mid-off. He had batted for 6 hours and 20 minutes, faced 304 balls and struck 19 boundaries to transform the shape of the match.

With a lead of 185 runs and just over five sessions of play remaining, Essex wasted little time in making inroads into their opponents second innings.

David Masters found an excellent line just outside off and encouraged Paul Horton to flirt with a delivery that ended in the gloves of James Foster to send the opener back to the pavilion having scored two of the seven runs on the board.

Then in what proved to be the final over before lunch, Napier encouraged Angus Robson (21) to dabble outside off and Alastair Cook comfortably held the catch at first slip.

Neil Dexter will resume on 26 as the home side face an uphill battle to save the game.

Day Two | Close of Play Report

Dan Lawrence scored a highly impressive unbeaten century, whilst Ryan ten Doeschate and James Foster both scored half-centuries for Essex on Day Two. Essex’s score of 368 for 8 leave the side in a commanding position at the half-way stage of the Specsavers County Championship clash with Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground.

Essex will start the penultimate day with a lead of 130 runs and having secured 7 bonus points from the match so far.

Teenager Lawrence battled hard for his fourth century for the County facing 226 balls that included 11 fours, before he arrived at the milestone and when bad light brought a premature close with two overs still remaining. He had reached 123 thanks to a vigilant approach although always quick to pounce on the less deserving delivery.

He featured in two vital century partnerships after arriving at the crease with his side 60 for 4. This was after they had lost Nick Browne to the first ball of the day and then Ravi Bopara for 11.

Tom Westley had scored 35 when he was caught in the deep leaving ten Doeschate to join Lawrence in a stand of 125 in 30 overs before they were parted with the total 193 for 6.

Ten Doeschate played attractively, posting 86 off just 83 balls before he edged a ball to the wicket-keeper but James Foster maintained the improvement in the visitors fortunes with 54 out of 130 before he became another victim of keeper Ned Eckersley.

All the time, the 19 year-old Lawrence was growing in determined authority and by the end of the day, he had faced 254 balls and collected 14 boundaries.

The day began ideally for Leicestershire, with debutant Dieter Klein picking up a wicket immediately when a Yorker uprooted the off stump of Nick Browne to leave Essex 13 for 3.

However on a pitch where the ball continued to nip around, Lawrence proved masterful and with ten Doeschate and Foster offering excellent support, Essex will now have hopes of being able to go on and cause Leicestershire’s batsmen a host of problems for the second time around to put them on course for a fifth Championship win of the season.

Essex Captain Ryan ten Doeschate spoke to EssexTV after Day 2:

Day Two | Tea Report

Ryan ten Doeschate and Dan Lawrence contributed half-centuries in what proved to be a superb afternoon session for Essex who reached the tea interval on 223 for 6  trailing Leicestershire by just 15 runs at Grace Road.

Essex skipper ten Doeschate batted with authority refusing to allow the bowlers to get on top as he and teenager Lawrence resumed the session with their side 102 for 5. Lawrence played a vital support role to ten Doeschate as the pair combined responsible defence with some classic driving on both sides of the wicket.

Ten Doeschate arrived at his half-century from 55 balls which included six fours and immediately added to his boundary count by sending the next delivery from Dieter Klein to the ropes.

The 100 partnership arrived shortly afterwards when ten Doeschate steered a leg side delivery from Neil Dexter to the ropes. All the while, Lawrence was profiting from a responsible approach as the duo eased their side into a more agreeable position.

However, with his score on 86, ten Doeschate edged a delivery from Ben Raine into the gloves of wicket-keeper Ned Eckersley to bring a conclusion to a partnership worth 125 runs in 30 overs.

Lawrence though continued to play solidly and attractively to reach his half-century with a boundary from a stroke that flew over the wicket-keeper’s head and record the sixth four of his innings that had spanned 144 balls at that stage.

James Foster joined Lawrence in a period of re-entrenchment following the loss of ten Doeschate and by tea, the pair had ensured a batting point for the visitors during an unbroken stand of 30 runs. Lawrence is unbeaten on 53 and Foster 11 not out.

Day Two | Lunch Report

A difficult morning for Essex saw them reach 102 for 5 in reply to Leicestershire’s 238 all out at Grace Road in the Specsavers County Championship. Dan Lawrence is unbeaten on 12 and Ryan ten Doeschate will resume after the interval on 24 with the pair having posted 34 runs for the 6th wicket thus far.

That partnership ensured the visitors would avoid the follow-on during a session that saw them lose three wickets including opener Nick Browne to the first ball of the day.

Resuming on 13 for 2, the left-hander lost his off stump when facing Deiter Klein who later added Tom Westley to his list of four victims on Championship debut.

Westley and Ravi Bopara had posted 47 runs for the fourth wicket with Bopara playing watchfully during his one hour stay at the crease that came to a conclusion with his score on 11 when he lost his off stump to Charlie Shreck.

With the wicket still offering movement for the seam bowlers, Westley batted responsibly and collected five fours but with his score on 35 he pulled a ball from Klein into the hands of Paul Horton on the deep square leg boundary.

That left Essex 68 for 5 and still 21 runs away from avoiding the follow-on but Lawrence and ten Doeschate proved up to the task in demand playing resolutely whilst quick to punish the looser delivery. Lawrence produced the shot of the session when straight-driving Klein to the boundary.

At the interval, Essex still trailed by 136 runs.

Day One Review | Chris Silverwood encouraged by start

Day One | Close of Play Report

An absorbing opening day in the Specsavers County Championship promotion clash saw Leicestershire dismissed for 238 at Grace Road. This was before the Dieter Klein struck twice for the home side by removing Alastair Cook for 4 and night-watchman Jamie Porter without score as Essex replied with 13 for 2 by the close.

Porter started and ended the Foxes innings on his way to figures of 4 for 50 having started with two wickets in successive deliveries in the first over of the match before he bowled Dieter Klein to conclude the hosts effort.

The 23 year-old pace bowler made a stunning start trapping Paul Horton in front of his stumps with his 4th delivery before Neil Dexter was struck on the pads to record a first ball duck.

Mark Cosgrove avoided the hat-trick as the ball send down to the fine leg boundary for leg byes and it was the Australian, together with opener Angus Robson that rebuilt the early damage.

Both recorded half-centuries during a partnership of 129 but with the total on 131, Robson, who had just reached a 116-ball 50 with 7 boundaries, lost his middle stump to when facing Graham Napier.

That wicket signalled another downturn in the hosts fortunes as they lost eight wickets for 107 runs.

Former Essex Captain, Mark Pettini came up against his forer teammates was bowled by David Masters for 7. Captain, Mark Cosgrove, who had played and missed at Porter and Masters in the early part of his innings, was bowled for 70 when playing all round a Will Rhodes delivery.

Ravi Bopara trapped Lewis Hill lbw for 36, Ben Raine edged a rising Porter delivery into the gloves of James Foster then Napier added the wicket of Richard Jones with the new ball before Porter knocked back the middle stump of Klein.

Faced with 10 overs, Essex lost Cook who was bowled by Klein, playing his first match for Leicestershire when the England captain was undone by a swinging Yorker. Porter then came in as night-watchman but had still to get off the mark when he was adjudged caught behind facing Raine leaving Nick Browne (2) and Tom Westley (1) to reach the close without further problems.

Day One | Tea Report

A good afternoon session has given Essex the initiative on the opening day of the Championship match with Leicestershire at Grace Road after the Foxes arrived at the tea interval on 183 for 6 having lost four wickets for the addition of 99 runs after lunch.

The post-lunch wickets were shared between Graham Napier, Will Rhodes, David Masters and Tom Westley after the home side had reached 131 for 2.

Angus Robson lost his off stump on 52 when facing Napier to give the all-rounder his 52nd Championship wicket of the summer.

That brought an end to a productive 129 runs third wicket partnership with Robson and Cosgrove both completing half-centuries. Opener Robson had faced 116 balls with seven boundaries in reaching the milestone whilst Cosgrove’s 50 spanned 92 balls and was reached with the seventh boundary of his innings.

Former Essex skipper Mark Pettini had scored seven when David Masters was restored to the attack and breached the batsman’s defenses in his first over as Leicestershire slipped to 143 for 4.

Twelve runs later, the excellent Cosgrove’s innings of 208 minutes and 150 balls was concluded by Rhodes when the batsman played all round a delivery that came back into him.

With tea approaching, skipper Ryan ten Doeschate brought off-spinner Tom Westley into the attack and was rewarded when Ned Eckersley, on 11, played forward and could not prevent the ball from rolling onto his stumps.

At tea, Lewis Hill was unbeaten on 14 and Ben Raine 9 not out.

Day One | Lunch Report

Jamie Porter gave Essex a sensational start with two wickets in as many deliveries in the opening over of the day before Leicestershire recovered to 84 for 2 at lunch on the first day of the Specsavers County Championship promotion clash at Grace Road.

Porter struck with his fourth and fifth deliveries to remove Paul Horton and Neil Dexter for one and a first ball duck respectively as both batsmen were trapped in front of their stumps to leave the second placed home side reeling on 2 for 2.

Mark Cosgrove survived the hat-trick delivery which went for four leg byes and with Angus Robson dropping anchor at the other end, they steadily improved the Foxes fortunes.

On a green-tinged and previously used pitch offering some early seam movement, Cosgrove and Robson posted a 50 runs stand in 16 overs although both survived periods of uncertainty in the initial stages of their innings playing and missing against Porter and his new ball partner David Masters.

Second-placed Leicestershire started the match trailing their visitors by 23 points both teams having four matches to play this season. An uncontested toss saw the home side, who were missing bowler Clint McKay, revived by Australian Cosgrove who started the match with 925 Championship runs to his name and by lunch, he had scored 42 whilst Robson was 32 not out.

At lunch Porter, who has now claimed 43 Championship wickets this summer, had figures of 6-2-14-2.

Essex left Ashar Zaidi and Paul Walter out of their original 13-man squad which saw Will Rhodes given his second game since his on-loan move from Yorkshire.