Essex open their County Championship campaign next summer with the visit of Middlesex to Chelmsford.
The men from Lord's finished Second Division runners-up to Essex and will be anxious to avenge their defeat suffered at the hands of Ronnie Irani and his players in September.
The two counties start their four-day battle on April 18 and it is followed by a trip to Edgbaston for the clash against Warwickshire.
Surrey provide the county's first taste of National League action when they visit New Writtle Street on April 27.
Essex's headquarters also stage one-day battles against Pakistan and Zimbabwe, which are scheduled for June 9 and June 22 respectively.
Published Wednesday November 6, 2002
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