Exiled Shrimper
Manager
Indeed Matt, and to make matters worse, most of the season has been spent sitting under an umbrella as well!
I'm actually quite glad that we got beaten today:
a) because it means that we can't go up and that we might see a lightly more experimental line-up next week; and
b) because had we gone up into Division One, we would've been absolutely mauled, much the same way that Worcestershire have been in the Championship this season. Even with Graeme Hick enjoying one of his best seasons for years and the likes of youngsters Moore and Davies coming through, they have been found out in Division One. Sadly, it's starting to look as if the teams in Division One are getting stronger, whilst even a traditionally good side (over the past 30 years at least) in Essex are stuck in Division Two.
For what it's worth, my team for the final Championship fixture, depending on fitness, would be:
Flower, Chopra, Middlebrook, Westley, Pettini (c), ten Doeschate, Foster (w), Bichel, Kaneria, Palladino, Ahmed.
I know Phillips got runs in the second innings against Somerset, but he isn't a batsman, and he probably won't ever be any more consistent that a decent number 7. Let him start his winter recouperation on the shoulder early. Pettini needs to drop down the order to take some pressure off him - his scores have been unacceptable for a normal batsman, let alone a captain - but I feel really sorry for his predicament and opening with Flower may help him.
Middlebrook at 3 is risky, but it's a one-off and it means that Westley can compose himself a little more at 4. ten Doeschate averages (an inflated) 50+ in first-class cricket over his career, so he must come in ahead of Foster. Bichel would only play as a farewell, to give the Chelmsford crowd a chance to say thanks for his sterling effort over the past two seasons. Oh, and playing both Palladino and Ahmed means that they must get some overs in - we have got to start believing in our young bowlers - without overs they won't improve.
