County Championship preview: Essex

2009 in a nutshell Won promotion to the first division with only five overs remaining of the season thanks to a dashing 108 from 59 balls by Ryan ten Doeschate. That came rather at the expense of their form in the shorter formats, which has been their stronger suit in recent years. LV County Championship Division 2 Runners up Pro 40 Division 1 4th Friends Provident Trophy Quarter-finalists Twenty20 Cup Fourth in South Division What they'll be playing in this season LV County Championship Division 1 Clydesdale Bank Pro40 Group B Friends Provident Twenty20 – South Captain Mark Pettini – still only 26, this is Pettini's third year as captain. In that time England have only flirted with him, picking him in the odd provisional Twenty20 squad. Essex will be glad he has been over-looked, as he has established a reputation as one of the most aggressive captains on the circuit. Coach Paul Grayson – promoted up from coaching the second XI only two years after he retired from first class cricket in 2007. Grayson's nickname, predictably enough, is Larry. His brother Simon, who is currently the manager of Leeds United, has exactly the same handle. Ins and outs In Billy Godleman (Middlesex), Max Osborne, Michael Comber Out James Middlebrook (Northamptonshire), Jahid Ahmed, Varun Chopra (Warwickshire), Jason Gallian (retired) Overseas player The leg-spinner Danish Kaneria carried the attack in 2009, taking 75 wickets in 11 championship matches. He returns this year, but only for a small slice of the season because of his commitments with Pakistan. There has been talk about Daniel Vettori (NZ) stepping in. India's Yusuf Pathan had been signed for the Twenty20, but the move was nixed by the Indian board. Key player Ryan ten Doeschate never looks the most convincing all-rounder, but somehow he keeps delivering with both bat and ball. His first class statistics are truly phenomenal, marrying a batting average of 50 with a bowling average of 34.The numbers have been massaged by his many games for the Netherlands, but he still shouldn't be underestimated. Ashes factor Ravi Bopara will be hoping to force his way back into the Test team alongside his old mucker Alastair Cook. Bopara will need to score runs in the world Twenty20 and the championship if he is to convince the selectors he is ready to tour Australia. Sadly, James Foster's time seems to have come and gone again. Prediction for 2010 Fifth in Division 1. If either or both of their two bright young fast bowlers Mervyn Westfield or Maurice Chambers can break through then they could surprise a few of the bigger teams, otherwise they may be a little too lightweight to survive in the first division and face a releagtion battle. In one-day cricket though they are blessed with a lot of all-rounders and should excel.