Probably too little too late, but good to see that Essex finally adopted a risk, reward approach to this must win game by selecting Porter premium pace bowler, ahead I presume of the hapless Beard.
Risk, he might get injured and not spearhead our final thrust to Championship glory.
Reward - surprise, surprise, Porters rips out Surrey’s powerhouse top order, finishing with 4-38 and vying with Ravi for man of the match.
Faint heart and all that!! Oh that he had been selected for the Hampshire game.
Likely to be academic even if we beat Kent tonight, who must be in state of shock at losing two crucial games catching Essex disease of grabbing defeat from jaws of victory, for although T20 and anything can happen, cannot see Hampshire doing anything but win against winless Glamorgan, our best hope here is a storm to suddenly arrive, and Somerset to beat Middlesex, even with AB, whom I saw play a spirited knock last night although clearly not match fit, and who were very disappointing in the field, putting down at least two catches and were easily beaten by Hampshire.
Our run rate also equates to a point lost, so the odds are well stacked against us- but never say never, this is Essex after all, full of surprises, nasty and glorious.
Biggest disappointment for me of this ultimately disappointing season has been the failure of Delport, of whom so much was expected.
Progress has been made but not enough and I hope if we do nothing else, we somehow secure a quality aggressive consistent top order batsman, preferably an opener, to ensure we start well.
Not easy but this is what is required as top priority.
