Youngster Andrew McGarry could be set for a shock Essex debut in their crunch division two promotion clash with Worcestershire tomorrow (Wednesday).

The 17-year-old has been drafted in to the squad as cover for Ashley Cowan, who is struggling with an injury.

And if he doesn't make it, the youngster will make his competitive debut in the match against the PPP Healthcare County Championship division two leaders.

McGarry, from South Woodham Ferrers, has just one first team outing to his name, taking four wickets against Sri Lanka last season.

But captain Ronnie Irani said he had no qualms about plunging the youngster in at the deep end.

He said: "I hope he can learn quickly and make the grade. We haven't got a massive squad so people like him could make all the difference.

"He is keen and really wants to make it."

Australian Glenn McGrath, widely acknowledged as the world's best fast bowler, will provide Essex batsmen with a severe test at Chelmsford over the next few days.

The 30-year-old is the major reason why Worcestershire will go into action tomorrow topping the league table.

He already has around 30 Championship victims to his credit and is bound to pose the greatest threat to Essex ambitions.

Essex will be hoping that fellow Australian Stuart Law will be deemed fit enough to try and keep the rampaging McGrath at bay.

Law suffered from back spasms which forced him to take a short break earlier in the season and the trouble flared up once more during the match against Sussex at Arundel last week.

Graham Napier is likely to be drafted in if Law is ruled out for a match in which Ronnie Irani and Paul Grayson will be hoping to repeat their deeds of last summer.

Then, when the two counties met, they both recorded centuries - although their efforts were not enough to earn Essex anything better than a draw.

That's because they were overshadowed by the mighty blade of Grame Hick in a clash that produced over 1,200 runs.

Hick followed his 101 in the first innings with 150 in the second, but will not be around to torment Essex bowlers on this occasion because he is away on England duty.

Mark Ilott and company will not be shedding tears over Hick's absence but, as their performances this summer indicate, Worcestershire are still formidable opponents without him.

Essex are expected to select from: Irani, Prichard, Grayson, Robinson, S Law, Peters, D Law, Hyam, Cowan, Ilott, Such, Mason, Napier, Flanagan and McGarry.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.