Essex Cricket 2025

[The Dirty One]

Simon Fernandes signs a rookie contract.

This doesn’t sound like good news as it suggests Pepper is out for some time.

Pepper named in squad for tomorrow but Fernandes is not.

That's a relief as I think MP will be pivotal in any serious Championship bid.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Pepper named in squad for tomorrow but Fernandes is not.

That's a relief as I think MP will be pivotal in any serious Championship bid.

Excellent news. He’s one who (like Walter) has really kicked on and made the spot his own.

Plus we need his batting as that tail is looking awfully long with Cook, Porter and Rajitha.

But if I had to pick a player who’d be pivotal in how far Essex’s title challenge goes I’d plump for Noah Thain. This might seem counterintuitive to pick someone who may currently only be Essex’s 11th or 12th best player and may be dropped tomorrow but Thain is (other than maybe Luc Benkenstein or at a push Jamal Richards who has just joined K*nt on loan) the only one who could strengthen the batting order and provide a little bit different with the bowling. Him developing into a genuine all-rounder is what takes this team from a good team to a great team.

He’s got a long way to go but has made some progress. He’s already been more of a wicket threat than I anticipated. Cutting down on the no-balls and improving the economy rate would certainly help. But the best case scenario is that he continues to take strides with bat and ball and turn Essex into Champions. A sort of Snater deluxe, just shy of international calibre would be ideal.