ESSEX have dropped South African bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe from the squad to face Surrey tomorrow.

But club chiefs have stressed the decision not to name him in the travelling party for the trip to Whitgift School in Croydon is purely down to form.

“He’s just not bowling well enough,” said Essex head coach Paul Grayson.

“The simple fact is that we haven’t seen enough from him in Championship cricket and the decision comes down purely to form.

“Whether you are an overseas player or not, it doesn’t really matter, if you are not performing then changes have to be made.”

Tsotsobe has taken five Championship wickets so far and scored six runs, but he only took one wicket in 22 overs during last week’s draw with Derbyshire, conceding 106 runs in the process.

Ravi Bopara will also be missing due to his involvement with the England Lions team.

But Graham Napier has been selected for his first senior four-day match in nearly a year.

Napier has been kept out of first XI action by a back injury sustained against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl last June.

Squad to face Surrey: Alastair Cook, Jaik Mickleburgh, Mark Pettini, Matt Walker, Adam Wheater, James Foster (Captain/wicket-keeper), Graham Napier, Tim Phillips, David Masters, Chris Wright, Maurice Chambers, Michael Comber.