The season is here and what a match to get us underway. Our local rivals visit New Writtle Street in a match that normally produces some interesting and exciting cricket and in Essex, normally a result either way.

This game is of course a repeat of the fixture last season in September, which was effectively a title decider. We comfortably strolled to victory inside 3 days by 6 wickets and went onto secure the division 2 Championship.

In that match at Chelmsford, Middlesex scored 295 all out, while we replied with only 278. Second time around, however, the seaxes crumbled under some excellent Essex bowling from Dakin, Grant, Irani and Napier and were all out for just 93. Essex stumbled slightly in trying to make a nelson (111) to win, but Irani, Flower and Habib saw Essex over the line and the win.

Looking at the teams overall, there's not been many departures and arrivals and I think a similar result is possible.

Both sides aim for the season is to consolidate and anything else is a bonus, but with Phil Tufnell retiring, it leaves the Lord's based team desperately short of a man who can turn them a game and also give spin variety to the attack and this will surely enhance their chances of relegation, unless a replacement can be found soon. One things for sure, it won't be in time for this match.

Essex look set to field the same XI that drew with Cambridge UCCE over the weekend, with Andrew McGarry set to keep his place as the fourth seamer. Will Jefferson has been excellent again so far this season and his opening partnership with Darren Robinson is key to see Essex off to a good start. So strong is our batting though, that Jon Dakin and James Middlebrook will be as low as 8 and 9, so runs should not be a problem.

The bowling could be. The Cambridge match fizzed out into a draw with Essex taking only 4 student wickets in 59 overs in the second innings, although comfortably disposed of them in the first knockings. However, all the bowlers bowled well, but just lacking a little cutting edge that is the difference between struggling and top 4. Much will depend on the youngsters of the side, overseas signing Scott Brant and home grown Andrew McGarry. McGarry bowled fine against the students at Fenner's, with 16-7-27-5 and 12-4-29-0. Brant recored good 1st innings figures of 19-7-57-1 but didn't bowl second time around.

Middlesex have similar problems, strong batting, but a weakish bowling attack. Ashley Noffke is away in the West Indies serving drinks as 12th man on the Aussie tour there and is replaced by fellow Queenslander Joe Dawes. Like Brant, both are largely unknown to us here and so it'll be interesting to see them in action. Abdul Razzaq has returned from Pakistan's victorious Sharjah Cup side, but whether he posses the extra bite to cause problems is open to discussion. After that, there's not a lot. Chag Keegan has started off on the right note this season, but both he and Simon Cook will need to take a lead this season. The main problem for the visitors will be the non-existence of a spin bowler, of quality anyway. 'The Cat' aka Phil Tufnell, retired last week and like Angus Fraser last season, has opted for a media career. This leaves them in a hole. Paul Weekes in the only spinner now (James Dalrymple unavailable at present) and when options and variations are needed, although can tie up an end, he isn't the man you turn to to take a few wickets.

Owais Shah and Sven Koenig look in top form and Andrew Strauss and Ed Joyce aren't too far behind. They'll need to perform, otherwise, it could be a second consecutive Essex win over there London rivals.

For me, much depends on the toss. Friday is set to be a scorcher, in terms of weather and if Essex win the toss and surely bat, then you can only see us controlling the game and a possible victory. If Middlesex were to bat first, then they would have the chance to pile on a big score, which would be needed to weigh out the weaknesses of their attack. The only thing that could stop Essex in their tracks would be the weather and it's set to get worse after Friday. I think the result could be a draw in this case, but I think if it stays fine and we bat first, a good start to the season.

Essex have named a 13-man squad for the fixture. The XI that played at Fenner's will be joined by Graham Napier and John Stephenson. It looks though that both will miss out and the same XI as against Cambridge will start. It certainly looks our strongest XI, with no injury worries. Nasser Hussain is the only man out of that XI and that because of his ECB Central Contract, however, he is available for selection for next week's match at Edgbaston. So the squad (predicted XI first):

D.D.J. Robinson, W.I. Jefferson, A.P. Grayson, A. Flower, A. Habib, *R.C. Irani, + J.S. Foster, J.M. Dakin, J.D. Middlebrook, S.A. Brant, A.C. McGarry....G.R. Napier, J.P. Stephenson.

A squad of 12 has been announced, with Abdul Razzaq joining the XI that played at The Parks and will play. My guess would be that Tim Bloomfield will be the man to stand down for the Pakistan all-rounder, although judging by the Middlesex official site, Simon Cook might be the man to make way. Squad (likely XI first):

* A.J. Strauss, S.G. Koenig, O.A. Shah, + D.C. Nash, E.C. Joyce, P.N. Weekes, A. Razzaq, B.L. Hutton, S.J. Cook, C.B. Keegan, J.H. Dawes....T.F. Bloomfield.

Two closely matched sides would suggest a draw, but the visitors lack of a decent spinner might be their downfall, especially if they bat second. So, providing the weather allows enough time, Essex to make a good start to the season with a home win.

Blue Square and William Hill make Essex slight favourites at 4/6, with Middlesex 11/10.

Friday is set to be gorgeous. Hot and sunny, although only 15oC according to BBC! After that, we could see a few problems. Saturday will be mainly cloudy with the chance of some showers and max of only 9oC, while Sunday, although a degree warmer, will be the worse day, with rain predicted for most of the day. Monday will be 13oC and mainly cloudy, but dry.

Ed Joyce - Classy looking left handed bat and potential to go further.

What are your views?! Put your views on the message board or e-mail me, links below:

Date: 17/4/03

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