Spinner Michael Davies has arrived in Essex with his sights firmly set on returning to regular first-team action.
The 24-year-old, who joined Essex from Northamptonshire, had a difficult time last season when poor form led to him being dropped to make way for Jason Brown.
Brown hasn't looked back since and is currently on tour with England in Sri Lanka. Davies, meanwhile, was released by Northants last summer before being snapped up by Essex.
This all came after a successful 1999 which saw him selected for an England A place.
He said: "It's been a difficult time for me but I've always had confidence in my ability. It was frustrating not to emulate my performances of the previous season.
"But I'm feeling confident again and I hope the competition for places brings out the best in me."
Welcome to Essex - chief coach Keith Fletcher shows Michael Davies, right, around the County Ground.
Picture: STEPHANIE MACKRILL
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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