This for Essex, looks like the first real test this season, in terms of Championship matches, with the hosts looking strong and ourselves suffering from plenty of injuries.

Lancashire, like Essex, have had three draws from their first three division 1 outings this summer (albeit Essex tied one of those) and have suffered with the rain also, being in control of all three matches against Surrey, Nottinghamshire and last week Middlesex, before having to settle for the draw.

Last week at Lord's, Lancs racked up a massive 565-7 dec, with former Essex star Stuart Law missing out by just two on another double century and Mark Chilton and Andy Flintoff both hitting tons also. After bowling out Middlesex for 304, with Gary Keedy taking 6-68 the rain ruined what would surely have been a Lancs win, although Middx were going well on 176-0 when rain intervened and the draw the outcome.

Law is the main threat, although the Essex side will know all about him and his strengths and weaknesses. Since his move to Old Trafford at the beginning of last season, he has failed to recapture his stunning Chelmsford form, until this season. As well as his 198 at Lord's, he hit a big ton at The AMP Oval in the first match of 2003 and is averaging 127 at present!

With signings Ian Sutcliffe and Mal Loye, who is a real danger with the willow, to add to Law, youngster Mark Chilton, the consistent Alec Swann and now West Indian Carl Hooper, who has signed to cover India's Harbhajan Singh (Hooper's regristration was completed in time), the Lancs batting is strong as Essex's.

They also have a bowling attack to match it, with Peter Martin and Glen Chapple still going strong, left-arm spinner Gary Keedy and, of course, the brilliant England talent James Anderson. He has been a real find for county and country and Essex will have to beware of his presence with the new ball.

Essex don't have a decent recent record either against their Manchester opponents, with this same fixture two years ago resulting in an innings defeat, but if Essex can win the toss and bat first tomorrow, then there is hope.

However, the injury situation is like a hospital waiting list, with Aftab Habib, Jon Dakin, John Stephenson and Justin Bishop all out of the game, while Darren Robinson is struggling with a calf problem after the Kent match on Saturday, in which he had to bat with a runner. He'll have a late fitness test to determin whether he'll play.

On paper, you'd say Lancs are too strong for us, but with the weather set to play a part for the third Championship match in a row, we should be able to avoid a first defeat.

Injuries galore. Habib, Dakin, Stephenson and Bishop are all definately out, while Darren Robinson looks doubtful. Ravi Bopara is on stand-by incase Robbo fails a fitness test, while it looks like Adrian McCoubrey and Joe Grant for the last seamers spot and I'd go for McCoubrey, with Grant stuggling for form. Nasser plays his last match before going on England duty and Midders should get a re-call to increase the spin options that will be vital at OT. So predicted XI:

A.P. Grayson, W.I. Jefferson, N. Hussain, A. Flower, * R.C. Irani, R.S. Bopara, + J.S. Foster, G.R. Napier, J.D. Middlebrook, S.A. Brant & A.G.A.M. McCoubrey

Only man out is Andy Flintoff, who has an arm injury picked up at Lord's last week, so Carl Hooper, who has signed in time and is covering for Harbhajan Singh, will take Freddy's place. Predicted XI:

A.J. Swann, I.J. Sutcliffe, M.B. Loye, S.G. Law, M.J. Chilton, C.L. Hooper, G. Chapple, * + W.K. Hegg, P.J. Martin, J.M. Anderson & G. Keedy

With the injury problems we have and the way Lancs look strong and have started well, you would say it'd be very hard for us to claim a first Championship win and infact avoid defeat, especially at Old Trafford, where not many teams get something from. However, with the rain set to ruin Friday and Saturday, you can only see another draw.

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