Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...
Fixture: Essex v Worcestershire
Venue: Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford
Dates: Thursday, April 8, 2021-Sunday, April 11, 2021
Start time: 11am
What’s the lowdown?
Formidable Essex open up their defence of the County Championship title with a visit from the Pears.
Essex have not lost a first-class match for more than two years - their last defeat coming against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl in April 2019 - and are the hot favourites to claim the Championship crown once again in 2021.
Worcestershire were lowly seeded for this year’s revamped competition after a miserable 2019, in which they won just three times to finish second bottom of Division Two, but will be a very different beast this year.
What’s the team news?
Aaron Beard, the Essex seamer, sustained a groin strain in the pre-season friendly against Kent last week and misses out.
Australian Peter Siddle's arrival has been delayed by Covid-19 protocols.
Essex squad: Tom Westley, Nick Browne, Ben Allison, Sir Alastair Cook, Sam Cook, Simon Harmer, Feroz Khushi, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Porter, Matt Quinn, Shane Snater, Ryan ten Doeschate, Paul Walter, Adam Wheater.
Overseas signing Alzarri Joseph will not feature for Worcestershire. He arrived in the UK on Sunday following national duty for West Indies against Sri Lanka and is available for seven County Championship matches, starting with the clash with Derbyshire next week.
Rikki Wessels, who hit two centuries during Worcestershire’s pre-season programme, will be a key figure for the visitors.
Worcestershire will select from the same 13 players chosen for the three-day game with Somerset at Taunton and the two-day fixture against Kent at Canterbury.
Latest Worcestershire news: Click here
Who’s said what?
Anthony McGrath, the Essex head coach, is understandably bullish going into the new campaign.
He told the club's official website: “As far as individuals and the team are concerned, one thing you’re looking for is for the batsman just to get a few more runs than perhaps they did last year. That will always help improve the team because we know the bowling takes care of itself, our bowlers are always capable of getting 20 wickets.
“Everyone is raring to go for the long season ahead starting on Thursday.”
Worcestershire head coach Alex Gidman says his team are not intimidated by Essex's impressive red-ball form over recent seasons.
“Naturally, we expect Essex to be a tough challenge, but it’s one we are quietly looking forward to and embracing the challenge.
“We can come down here and pit ourselves against the best side in the country for the last three or four years and give it a really good crack.
“If it goes well, it goes well, and if it doesn’t go quite so well, we will have a really good indicator of where we are at and the areas we need to improve.
What’s the weather forecast?
A cold start to the new season, with temperatures not getting above 12 degrees throughout the four days of the game.
Chance of rain interruptions on Saturday.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Chelmsford: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Essex offer a live stream facility via the MatchZone on their website. You will need to enter your name and email address to sign up for the service. Click here
The service is also available via Essex’s YouTube channel. Click here
Radio: BBC Radio Essex and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Travel: Not applicable owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Prediction?
Essex have forgotten how to lose over the past two years and even a revitalised Worcestershire are unlikely to inflict defeat on the hosts at Chelmsford. Home win.
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OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS
Group 1
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Group 3
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