Season's Here!

Between now and 20th April, Essex play a host of friendlies against opposing counties, with all bar one at Chelmsford.

Kent come first, for a two-day game starting tomorrow and concluding on Sunday. Then on the Tuesday (9th April) the Ilford Recorder reports a one-day friendly vs Surrey at Chelmsford, though this is the first time I've heard of this game as it's not in any fixture card!

Two days later, Middlesex arrive at Chelmsford for another two-day friendly on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th April, then the Sunday 14th sees the Essex Board XI (a side made-up of the best club cricketers from the Shepherd Neame Essex League) also at Chelmsford.

The following Wednesday, 17th April, Essex complete their warm-ups for the season making the short journey to Wantage Road, Northamptonshire, for another one-day friendly.

All matches start at 11:00am and will be 50 overs-a-side if a one-day friendly. The two-day friendlies will either be one side bats the first day and vice-versa the second day, or as tried in a friendly before the start of last season, both sides have two inns, the first bats for 60 overs, the second for 40 overs on day one, then roles are reversed for the second day.

All matches are free to watch as well and act as ideal practice for the players to prepare for the coming season and a chance for the new guys to get a run-out. The weather being fine means that play should be ok for the Kent match at least, though ring the relevant numbers (found on the 'ECCC Club Directory' page on the right-hand menu bar) for more details.

And 'Scimitars' will be brining you the news of the matches as we have them. If you're going and would like to send us your events on the play, e-mail me.

The Member's Forum lastnight at Chelmsford was very interesting and a summary of the main events discussed will be posted here later tonight and some interesting bits of news as well.

Date: 5/4/02