Essex are banking on Joseph Grant to step up his performances after the crushing loss of Ronnie Irani and Ashley Cowan for the county's Second Division promotion clash against Durham at Colchester today.
Grant has chosen the right time to produce the sort of form which last year persuaded Essex to give him a contract after several seasons playing in the Yorkshire League.
The West Indian fast bowler was dropped in mid-May as he struggled to come to terms with the First-Class game but has since returned and emerged as the match-winner in the last Championship games against Derbyshire as the County ended a four-match sequence without a victory.
Then he made a decisive impact with the new ball by taking 4-45 and he confirmed his control and form by conceding just 27 runs in his nine-over spell against Hampshire on Sunday on his Norwich Union League debut.
"In the game against Derbyshire Joe bowled better than I had even seen him," said Irani. "He showed he can be a real handful when he gets his act together and I was delighted for him."
"Not only is he a nice bloke, but a player who gives everything. I've got plenty of time for guys like that and I'm sure his recent performances will have given him a big boost in confidence."
Durham will be captained by Jon Lewis, while Danny Law, another former Essex player, is likely to be in their side.
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Published Wednesday August 21, 2002
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