At a glance
- Essex face problems with bat after consecutive defeats in County Championship
- Dean Elgar struggling for form, averaging just 11 in first three matches of campaign
- Essex facing difficulties at number three with Tom Westley, Jordan Cox and Wiaan Mulder all absent
It was a season that started with great promise for Essex.
A commanding innings victory at Hampshire created some optimism in Chelmsford, after only managing to secure Division One status on the final day of last season.
However, consecutive defeats, albeit against the current top two in the form of Somerset and Warwickshire, has given Chris Silverwood some headaches ahead of his side’s trip to Surrey later this week.
Yesterday’s loss at Edgbaston would have proven particularly difficult to swallow for Essex supporters.
Having left day three needing 195 more runs with all 10 wickets in hand, Essex were in the ascendency heading for the final day.
However, a remarkable over from Keith Barker saw the veteran pick up three wickets in what was his first game for Warwickshire in eight years.
This was just the second over of the morning’s session, and from then, Essex never properly recovered and eventually slumped to a 41-run defeat.
Simon Harmer and Zaman Ahkter threatened a revival with a ninth-wicket partnership worth 51 runs, but it wasn’t enough as Essex were all out for 164. View the full scorecard here.
Dean Elgar Struggling for Form as Essex Top Order Stumbles
Essex had been put in a commanding position by their ever-reliant bowling attack consisting of the likes of Jamie Porter and Sam Cook.
But it has been their problems with the bat which has been cause for concern so far in the early stages of the campaign.
The wider issue of Essex Struggling with Bat has become increasingly evident, with the top order failing to provide the foundation needed to support their strong bowling performances.
Dean Elgar, in his third year now at Chelmsford, has hit double digits just once in five innings on his way to averaging 11.
The experienced South African is not the only Essex player struggling to pick up the runs.
Since that victory over Hampshire, Essex have in fact failed to pick up any batting bonus points.
Essex Struggling with Bat at Number Three Amid Key Absences
Since Tom Westley retired hurt in the win over Hampshire, Essex have struggled for consistency and reliability at number three
The Essex captain was forced off with a finger injury and is once again a doubt to feature this week at The Oval.
Stand-in captain Harmer has faced difficulties finding a specialist replacement, after Mulder returned to South Africa for personal reasons and Jordon Cox is currently with RCB in the IPL.
Frustratingly for Cox and Essex fans, the 25-year old has yet to feature so far in this year’s premiere T2O competition.
In their absences, youngsters such as Charlie Allison and Luc Benkenstein have flirted with in the top order, but have struggled to adjust.
Instead, they have often provided stability in the middle order, contributing much-needed knocks you might expect from players with more experience.
No Need to Panic for Essex
Despite the early losses, Essex still boast one of the most powerful squads in the division, particularly with Cook and Porter leading the attack.
Adding to that experience is an elegant blend of youth with Benkenstein and Allison likely to be hugely influential for years to come.
And with Westley and Mulder expected to return shortly, Essex supporters hopefully won’t have any relegation fears again this season.
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