Cook set for Essex run-out

22 April 2008

Alastair Cook © Getty Images

England opener Alastair Cook makes his first Essex appearance of the season in their LV County Championship Division Two clash away to Derbyshire.

Former England all-rounder Alex Tudor is added to those on duty during the nine-wicket win over Northamptonshire in the first championship match of the season, but Varun Chopra is omitted.

All-rounder Graham Napier has failed a fitness test on a knee injury and will see a consultant.

Essex first team coach Paul Grayson said: “Confidence and morale is high at the moment. We were outstanding against Northants and top-drawer against Kent (in the 31-run victory in the Friends Provident Trophy).

"I couldn’t have asked for more with the way we’ve started. We have good players in good form.”

Grayson knows Derbyshire will be tough but has confidence in his side, adding: “Derbyshire made some bold moves over the winter – including bringing in Rikki Clarke as skipper – so it won’t be easy, but if we play like we did against Northants then we have an exceptional chance of winning the match.”

Derbyshire will be missing all-rounder Greg Smith with second XI wicketkeeper Fred Klokker set to play as a specialist batsman in his place.

Smith is awaiting the results of a scan on a pulled muscle under his arm suffered while bowling against Gloucestershire.

Seamer Kevin Dean is recovering well from a sore knee but the game comes too soon for him, while off-spinner Jake Needham and all-rounder Jonathan Clare could feature.