Grayson refuses to give up on promotion ahead of Kent clash

Essex head coach Paul Grayson. Photo credit: Neal Simpson/EMPICS

Tuesday, August 7, 2012
2:58 PM

Essex head coach Paul Grayson has named his squad for their LV=County Championship match against Kent starting this Wednesday, and refuses to rule out their chances of promotion.

Leg-spinner Tom Craddock is the only new addition to the side that played in the rain-affected draw against Leicestershire last week, and Grayson hopes the weather will hold out.

“All we can ask for first of all is that the match at Canterbury is allowed to proceed without interruption from the weather for the four days,” he said.

“Then whoever plays the best cricket deserves the victory,” he continued.

Essex are currently second bottom in LV=County Championship Division Two but Grayson insists their season is not over.

“I haven’t given up hope of being involved in the promotion issue and neither have the players,” he said

“I know that I keep saying back-to-back wins can make a significant difference to the league table and that remains true but obviously, we need to start winning these cricket matches.”

Essex squad to face Kent: James Foster (captain/wicket-keeper), Jaik Mickleburgh, Tom Westley, Owais Shah, Mark Pettini, Ryan ten Doeschate, Adam Wheater, Graham Napier, Harbhajan Singh, David Masters, Maurice Chambers, Tom Craddock.