Skipper Ronnie Irani will again be missing when Essex go on a revenge mission against Surrey at The Oval on Sunday.

He is still recovering from a knee problem which has forced him to miss the last couple of games and, in his absence, Paul Grayson will continue to lead the side.

There is better news concerning middle-order batsman Mark Pettini, another player who has been under treatment for a troublesome knee.

He has a much better chance of being declared fit and confirming the form and promise he showed while making an unbeaten 92 in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy tie against Warwickshire last week.

Essex will go into the National League duel having won their last three games to move up to third place in the First Division table behind Surrey and Glamorgan.

Their only defeat in the competition so far was at the hands of Surrey in April when they went down by 15 runs in a high-scoring clash at Chelmsford.

On that occasion the men from The Oval recovered from 82 for six to post a total of 268 for eight, thanks largely to Azhar Mahmood (98) and Adam Hollioake (77).

Mahmood will be missing on Sunday because he has linked up with the Pakistan side but is expected to be on duty at Chelmsford on Monday when the County take on the tourists in a day-night battle (2.30pm start).

This game marks the County's first under the Chelmsford lights since they were installed during the winter.

Essex are expected to select from the following squad to play Surrey: Grayson, Robinson, Jefferson, Flower, Foster, Dakin, Napier, Middlebrook, Habib, Pettini, Clarke, Brant, Bishop.

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Published Friday, June 6, 2003

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