What a few days it’s been for Essex.
Highs and lows probably doesn’t do justice to the contrasting emotions the players must have been going through at the County Ground recently.
News broke on Friday that two Essex players were being investigated for ‘spot fixing’ a specific type of illegal betting that doesn’t necessarily affect results but does involve certain events taking place during a match. Essex Police are investigating the claims and were apparently alerted by a member of the playing squad. National papers have named players who, if found guilty, will face severe punishments.
So it must have been with gritted teeth and tightly clenched jaws that the Essex players came out to play the first game of the season last Friday, their return to the LV Championship Division One being an encounter with Hampshire.
News broke on Friday that two Essex players were being investigated for ‘spot fixing’ a specific type of illegal betting that doesn’t necessarily affect results but does involve certain events taking place during a match. Essex Police are investigating the claims and were apparently alerted by a member of the playing squad. National papers have named players who, if found guilty, will face severe punishments.
So it must have been with gritted teeth and tightly clenched jaws that the Essex players came out to play the first game of the season last Friday, their return to the LV Championship Division One being an encounter with Hampshire.
After a bright start from Essex, especially debutant Billy Godleman who nearly scored a century, the game looked to be petering out to a draw by day three. But then it Hants sniffed victory on the fourth day when, needing 248 to win, were 170 for four and looked in control.
Enter Ryan ten Doeschate (pictured). Having already helped rescue Essex’s second innings from collapse with a sturdy 66 not out, the Dutch all-rounder produced an astounding spell of bowling which saw him take five wickets for just 13 runs in 5.5 overs, taking Hampshire’s last wicket with the penultimate ball of the day to secure an unlikely victory.
Who says the County Championship can’t be exciting and produce results?
It wasn’t just ten Doeschate who shined for Essex in their season opener. Godleman can be very pleased with his well-compiled 92 debut knock for the county while James Foster showed his prowess with the bat once again with a tidy 88 in the first innings. Expect the inevitable clamour for him to be considered for the England wicketkeeper’s position if he produces a couple more innings like that in the next week or so.
Enter Ryan ten Doeschate (pictured). Having already helped rescue Essex’s second innings from collapse with a sturdy 66 not out, the Dutch all-rounder produced an astounding spell of bowling which saw him take five wickets for just 13 runs in 5.5 overs, taking Hampshire’s last wicket with the penultimate ball of the day to secure an unlikely victory.
Who says the County Championship can’t be exciting and produce results?
It wasn’t just ten Doeschate who shined for Essex in their season opener. Godleman can be very pleased with his well-compiled 92 debut knock for the county while James Foster showed his prowess with the bat once again with a tidy 88 in the first innings. Expect the inevitable clamour for him to be considered for the England wicketkeeper’s position if he produces a couple more innings like that in the next week or so.
Tom Westley will also be chuffed with his second innings 69 which dug Essex out of a hole after losing their openers cheaply.
If nothing else, the Hampshire win it shows this Essex team has resilience. A siege mentality can set in when teams face adversity and if this is the case, Essex could be set for a successful return to the top tier of the County Championship.
They’ll need to be at their best for their next match… a trip to the north east to face reigning champs Durham on Thursday.
If nothing else, the Hampshire win it shows this Essex team has resilience. A siege mentality can set in when teams face adversity and if this is the case, Essex could be set for a successful return to the top tier of the County Championship.
They’ll need to be at their best for their next match… a trip to the north east to face reigning champs Durham on Thursday.
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