After just one season in Division 1, Essex crashed down to whence they came in 2010, and the sad truth was that they just didn’t cut the mustard when mixing it with the big boys. Can they bounce back in 2011?
Strengths
Alastair Cook morphed into the bastard child of Wally Hammond and Herbert Sutcliffe in Australia last winter, so is a good tip to fill his boots before the Sri Lanka series at the end of May. Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah (when he returns from the IPL) should also enjoy facing Division 2 bowling, and James Foster can always be relied open for runs and some sharp work with the gloves. Then there is Ryan ten Doeschate who England fans know all about after his hundred for Netherlands in the World Cup.
Weaknesses
Danish Kaneria has departed, so Essex look short in the spin department and the seam bowling stocks aren't much better. As such taking twenty wickets with any regularity could be a problem especially if the likes of David Masters or Maurice Chambers get injuries.
Main man
In his benefit season, expect James Foster to again show England what they are missing. Fans of Chris Read may disagree, but there is not a better English keeper out there than the Essex gloveman.
Look out for…
The late addition of an overseas quick – Peter Siddle had been mooted but is now no longer an option.
Prediction
4th – no return to Division 1 this time in our view
Where next?
County Championship Preview - Division 2: Derbyshire
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Yorkshire
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Worcestershire
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Warwickshire
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Sussex
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Somerset
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Nottinghamshire
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Lancashire
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Hampshire
County Championship Preview - Division 1: Durham
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