Mark Pettini, a 17-year-old right-handed batsman, is on standby to make his First Class debut for Essex at Taunton today (Wednesday).

Pettini will get his chance in the Championship clash against Somerset if Stephen Peters fails to recover in time from a finger injury which kept him out of the game against the Australians over the weekend.

The teenager is one of the County's brightest prospects and holds the record of being the youngest player to turn out for Essex in the 2nd XI Championship at 15 years 267 days.

Essex, who face a huge task to avoid relegation from the First Division, will be seriously weakened by the absence of leading run scorer Stuart Law and paceman Ricky Anderson, one of the country's leading wicket-takers.

Law is ruled out for at least a fortnight with a broken finger and Anderson is still recovering from a groin strain and shin injury.

In addition the County are without Nasser Hussain, who will be leading England in the First Test against Australia at Edgbaston from Thursday.

Graham Napier, fresh from his half-century against the tourists, comes in for his second Championship game of the summer while left-arm seamer Justin Bishop is selected for his first.

"It's a blow to be without players of proven ability, but at least their absence provides an opportunity for some of the youngsters to show what they can do," said coach Keith Fletcher.

"Napier and James Foster batted exceptionally well against the Aussies and will have gained plenty of confidence from their performances. I am looking for them to go on and show they can score runs on a consistent basis."

Bishop is preferred ahead of Andrew McGarry following an encouraging outing against the Tourists. "He showed he has a big heart in addition to bowling a decent line," Fletcher said of the 19-year-old.

Fletcher also revealed that former skipper Paul Prichard, who has missed several games with back trouble, is playing in a series of one-day games for the second team this week, but the season may be over for young opening batsman Will Jefferson who underwent a back operation last week.

Essex: Irani, Grayson, Clinton, Robinson, Foster, Peters or Pettini, Napier, Cowan, Bishop, Ilott and Such.

Stephen Peters

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