CRICKET

ESSEX Cricket Club are set to get their penultimate Specsavers County Championship division one game started today, with Murali Vijay likely to make his home debut at the Cloudfm County Ground.

The India Test opener, who was drafted in as the overseas replacement for Peter Siddle, marked his first appearance for the side by playing an integral part in their eight-wicket victory at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire last week.

Vijay scored a half-century in his first visit to the crease and followed that up with a century that underpinned the successful run-chase.

Skipper Ryan ten Doeschate told the club's website: “He’s already turned out to be a great signing.

“The way he went about his batting in both innings at Trent Bridge showed he is world-class.

“He’d gone seven weeks without playing and to go out and perform like he did was exceptional.

"With the example he set, he is an inspiration to everyone.

He’s easy on the eye and showed the quality he possesses.”

In scoring his 181-ball century in the second innings at Trent Bridge, Vijay became the first player since Hashim Amla in 2009 to score a hundred on their debut for Essex and he admitted that he was delighted to have made an immediate impact.

Speaking after the match, Vijay said: “It was an unbelievable experience for me personally to be able to come into a county like this and do well for them. The boys are a great bunch and they made me welcome from the first moment I joined up with them.

“I had everything to gain from the match because the wicket became flatter as the game went on and so for me, it was a good match to be a part of.

“Now I’m looking forward to playing at Chelmsford. I played there earlier in the season when India played Essex in a practice match and now I’m looking forward to the opportunity of going back there.

Worcestershire arrive at the Cloudfm County Ground as newly-crowned Vitality Blast Champions following their success on finals day last weekend, however, their form in the red-ball game has been less convincing.

They have picked up just two County Championship wins this summer and start the match at the foot of the division one table.

Essex Head coach Anthony McGrath has named a 13-man squad for the final home match of the season.

Essex squad to face Worcestershire: Ryan ten Doeschate (captain), Ravi Bopara, Nick Browne, Matt Coles, Sam Cook, Simon Harmer, Dan Lawrence, Michael Pepper (wicket-keeper), Jamie Porter, Matt Quinn, Murali Vijay, Tom Westley, Adam Wheater (wicket-keeper).