Starting line-up for first game...

[CostaDelEssex]

Be surprised if anyone can nail the starting 11 - whatever it is, I'd be shocked if we win more than a couple of games. I'd go:

Chopra
Bopara
Westley
Tendo
Wheater
Taylor or Pepper
Zaidi
Walter
Coles
Zampa
Sam Cook

[nat]

You've forgotten our overseas batsman Wagner.

[CostaDelEssex]

You've forgotten our overseas batsman Wagner.

He should be nowhere near our T20 starting 11.......same with Harmer too

[Crisp]

I think bearing history in mind that Wheater will open, also when does Wagner go back as Henry has returned home.

[Heisenberg]

Chopra
Wheater
Westley
Bopara
Ten Doeschate
Lawrence
Walter
Harmer / Zaidi
Coles
Wagner
Zampa

Wagner is here til the end of July. Baffling decision. One of the poorer T20 sides we have had but still some very good players.

[nat]

Chopra
Wheater
Westley
Bopara
Ten Doeschate
Lawrence
Walter
Harmer / Zaidi
Coles
Wagner
Zampa

Wagner is here til the end of July. Baffling decision. One of the poorer T20 sides we have had but still some very good players.

Agree this is the best available team.

[honkytonk]

I think we will do better than some are expecting

[Valentines Park]

I think we will do better than some are expecting

It would be funny if we won it just as the tournament is consigned to oblivion.

[JasonP]

I think we will do better than some are expecting

If we pick the best team we may do ok.  I can't see them leaving Harmer out, who shouldn't be in the team and maybe Wagner aswell.  Interesting to see if Alastair Cook plays.  He did well when he did play but has barely played in the last 5 or 6 years.  If he wants to play then I think they'll probably pick him.

[honkytonk]

I hope Cook is not involved.  Not putting it all on him but we broke up the Wheater/Chopra partnership in the one day QF and it cost us.  He then gave his wicket away with an awful shot.

Chopra
Wheater
Westley
Bopara
Pepper/Lawrence
Tendo
Zaidi
Walter
Coles
Zampa
Cook

Shame Foster is not around, would have had him over Pepper/Lawrence

[JasonP]

Essex 2nd XI playing away at Notts atm.   

Team Browne, Lawrence, Pepper, Patel, Walter, Nijjar, Stamatis, Beard, Quinn, Dixon, Snater.

Essex are playing their annual warm up match against the Premier League XI tonight and they normally pick their strongest team to prepare for the tournament.  So perhaps it means the likes of Lawrence and Walter wont be in the starting XI.

[honkytonk]

I though Pepper is playing for the league team tonight??

Better get a move on boys

[JasonP]

Not too many impressing at the moment!  Playing against a Notts 1st XI.

http://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#s429b04f4-7b9f-450b-9fb6-4474edfc55ad

[honkytonk]

As this is the first of two games, it is possible that a couple could play the first game then make their way down to chelmsford.

[ytsejam]

Be surprised if anyone can nail the starting 11 - whatever it is, I'd be shocked if we win more than a couple of games. I'd go:

Chopra
Bopara
Westley
Tendo
Wheater
Taylor or Pepper
Zaidi
Walter
Coles
Zampa
Sam Cook

I can't really go with much different that that and agree that it doesnt look a very strong side, sadly. Think the only difference will be Wagner for
Walter (for the first 2 or 3 games) but its a little bit ridiculous that our second overseas player is not really good enough to play these matches but will still be picked anyway!
Think we will win more than 2 matches but there's no way we will qualify for the semis.