Team v Bears

[CostaDelEssex]

So, Cook is available as is Bell, although for me, he doesn't warrant a place at the top or order, especially since this would push Ravi and Tendo further down the order......

Petinni and Ryder to open

[Perov]

No, give Cook a rest.
But,if he was available for any 50 over games get him in.

[Slogger]

Cook should stick to red ball cricket.  T20 messes around with his method which is built on leaving balls which in T20 one has to hit.

[JasonP]

He's not playing.
http://www.essexcricket.org.uk/2015/08/11/alastair-cook-set-to-miss-natwest-t20-blast-quarter-final/

I guess that means all these "injured" players will be back.

[galboy]

Realistically the only place that Cook could have took would have been Brownes and that would have meant him coming in at 6/7 or even 8 depending on the match situation.

For me it will be:

Pettini, Ryder, Westley, Bopara, Tendo, Foster, Browne, Napier, Masters, Tait, Topley.

Depending on if the pitch looks like taking spin then Smith may be considered over Browne.

[mawallace]

Interesting article on ESPN on the match and the importance to the club

http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/908893.html

[Essex Way]

An interesting article.
The man management skills of Paul Grayson may result in a one day trophy this season.
It would be a well desrved outcome for him and a group of players who have consistently performed to a high level in one day cricket.

[Valentines Park]

So basically the author lists all of Grayson's failings (including T20 screw ups) & then praises his man management skills.

Beyond belief.

[IlfordEagle]

A very interesting read & true as well. You do have to ask though why with all this apparent talent at our disposal we haven't as yet won the T20, we have also ,bar Hants, won more List A matches than anyone else, the problem is when to win them ie latter stages of competitions rather than walk the Group then freeze!
It seems either they lack a killer instinct, peak too soon or lose their bottle - there is fight in the team but obviously something is missing & until we find it we will continue to miss out & underachieve.
Personally I would love to see us win T20 before Fossie, Tendo, Napes & DM retire as they have few opportunities left to do it.

[Valentines Park]

A trophy for Fozzy would be a nice swansong I suppose.

Being lumbered with Grayson for another decade off the back of it isn't a price worth paying though.

[ytsejam]

A trophy for Fozzy would be a nice swansong I suppose.

Being lumbered with Grayson for another decade off the back of it isn't a price worth paying though.

Agree, it really is a catch 22 situation! Would LOVE to see Essex finally win the T20 but then that would more than likely mean at least another 3 seasons of Grayson

[DT]

The forecast for Edgbaston tonight and tomorrow means we won't be having a quarter-final...bowl-out here we come!!!  Assuming there is only one reserve day???

[Andy]

It seems either they lack a killer instinct, peak too soon or lose their bottle - there is fight in the team but obviously something is missing & until we find it we will continue to miss out & underachieve.
Personally I would love to see us win T20 before Fossie, Tendo, Napes & DM retire as they have few opportunities left to do it.

I think you're missing an 'a' somewhere?

[efcjames]

This is a bloody hard watch, the way we are fielding, not sure I've seen Foster play this bad before

[Slogger]

This poor fielding may well make the difference