Surrey 2.30pm start

[Can the Can]

Surrey looking exceptional good value at 4/7 for this game looking at it at 10 in the morning.

Having been in Canterbury and Taunton I truly fear this game is something of a foregone conclusion already and if Surrey bat first there is every danger of records being broken if it's a good batting track.

I hate seeing Essex lose in any format and those who say that this doesn't matter because it's not proper cricket are deluding themselves because form and momentum are contagious and we still have to play Surrey home and away in the championship and we could easily find ourselves in big trouble if we don't get out of this T20 rut soon.

I do hope I am wrong about my fears for today.

[Niel01]

I bet the players are secretly absolutely dreading this afternoon. They know that, at the moment, they are second best by a "country mile" I can see nothing other than a complete thrashing and another humiliation. Hope I am wrong !! Maybe the magic cricket fairy will come to our aid.

[JasonP]

The only thing entertaining about that rubbish was watching Zaidi make an absolute fool of those two useless individuals we have running our team.  Him not playing in such a poor side has been a joke and leaving him so late today was so poor it was untrue.  I hope they were embarrassed watching his innings today.

[Reddevil]

Well no surprise, we have lost and lost comfortably.

What has intrigued me is the inclusion of Zaidi, and his immediate batting success, albeit unbeaten which is even more frustrating as he should have been batting higher,   as has been suggested in the past.

Fact - He scored 24 off 8 balls, two sixes and two fours.

Could someone from Essex Management explain why he has gone missing from the Essex squad, for no apparent reason.

The view would be most interesting, especially if Mr Mascarenhas was the spokesman.

Team selection again is baffling.

No Porter. Has he been called up for England again? If so then his exclusion is understandable, but given the Test is not until Thursday, I would have thought he could have played.

[honkytonk]

T20 has been a shambles.

Said before it started we needed a batsman, we didnt get one. we have not scored anywhere near enough runs.

Bowling has not been as bad but, we have not had the runs to defend or the ability to chase down.

The captaincy and selection has been strange.  Odd bowling changes, the insistence that certain bowlers bowl their quota, even when getting tonked.  No real game plan it seems.  I have been sure that at times RTD has gone, "erm, ok mate, you have a bowl"  you watch the good sides and you know (unless conditions dictate) what they are going to do, the plan.  We look a shambles.  I am sure that we could have kept sides more in check when bowling but the awful captaincy has let them go.

[Slogger]

Yes Porter in the England squad. No point playing him or Sam Cook in this tournament with the championship run in only a fortnight away

[honkytonk]

Agree

I would now go with the likes of Pepper, Walter, Taylor, Nijjar, Patel, Beard, Plom.  Not all at once but give them a chance, a game or two will do them good

[ytsejam]

Agree

I would now go with the likes of Pepper, Walter, Taylor, Nijjar, Patel, Beard, Plom.  Not all at once but give them a chance, a game or two will do them good

Why not all at once though?...the tournament is "officially" over now (although of course most of us knew it was "unofficially" over before it even started, as this is the weakest T20 side we've ever had) so chuck them all in and see what happens. They cant be anymore of a shambolic embarrassment then the "first choice" players have been.

[JasonP]

Agree

I would now go with the likes of Pepper, Walter, Taylor, Nijjar, Patel, Beard, Plom.  Not all at once but give them a chance, a game or two will do them good

Why not all at once though?...the tournament is "officially" over now (although of course most of us knew it was "unofficially" over before it even started, as this is the weakest T20 side we've ever had) so chuck them all in and see what happens. They cant be anymore of a shambolic embarrassment then the "first choice" players have been.

Let's hope not although Walter looked awful today. 

[Slogger]

Patel can certainly strike the ball well and Plom looks a good prospect

[vim]

With playing an expiremental side, you have to look at the opponents position. Although Essex CCC's position is over apart from trying to avoid the wooden spoon. Their opponents still have something to play for and their rivals would not like them meeting weaker opposition.

[IlfordEagle]

Playing youngsters might not be such a bad idea, look at Glamorgan's youngsters in T20 who are holding their own & they will learn from this. Essex now have to accept our T20 is definitely over & blood some of these youngsters & see how they shape up - frankly they couldn't do worse. Mascarenhas should be a bit more honest & realistic in his assessments of games - they haven't generally been close & we aren't that near to victory as he suggests, we are poor & that is the truth, we don't score anywhere near enough runs so our bowlers never get anything to defend.
I have said it a lot but next year we HAVE to sign an experienced high scoring (& fast scoring)) O/S batsman for all formats. 

[DT]

There is something not right at ECCC this season, don’t know exactly what but it’s evident to us supporters.  It’s perhaps a mixture of things rather than just one.

As for the t20, it’s obvious if Westley hadn’t been injured Paul Walter wouldn’t have got in the side - we have no imagination to change the batting order instead bringing in a number 7/8 for a number 3!

[mawallace]

I fear you are right. IT seems that all is not well at the club - not sure if it's management, coach, captain or what.

It's a combination of them all I fear!

For the record - Chopra does not seem to know who we could bring in.

https://essex.ukcricket.tv/varun-chopra-reflects-on-surrey-loss/

(at around 2 mins in)

[squarelegumpire]

Patel can certainly strike the ball well and Plom looks a good prospect

Agree. Both counts.