Gooch to ease Essex's plight

13 April 2012

Graham Gooch, Essex's new head coach, has made a positive start to repairing the damage inflicted in a year which

The former Essex and England star has already gained the confidence of the new breed and may well be the key to taking his county back into the First Division of the Championship following last season's relegation.

Few would bank on it, however, because their bowling is distinctly average, although Gooch is confident.

"We've got plenty of depth in all-rounders and that's a big help," he said. "Ronnie Irani, Jon Dakin, Paul Grayson, Graham Napier and Andy Flower have greatly strengthened that department."

James Foster is now among the protected species after being put on a central contract by Lord's, having won a surprise call-up for England's winter campaign, so Flower will do the bulk of the wicketkeeping.

"Andy is a tremendous signing," he said. "He will be a role model for the younger players."

Gooch's main objectives are to create a better atmosphere in the dressing room and win promotion from either the Championship or the Norwich Union one-day league, or both.

He is determined that the problems which bedevilled the county last year are a thing of the past. "I don't think there will be a problem with the spirit," Gooch said.

Things had degenerated to such an extent that senior pro Stuart Law fell out with firstteam skipper Ronnie Irani and club captain Nasser Hussain and was released, joining Lancashire.

Gooch knows his absence will be a blow but remains upbeat, saying: "Stuart Law was a match-winner, but we still have a quality squad with a good blend of youth and experience."

Aftab Habib will be an asset, arriving from Leicestershire where he bought himself out of the final year of his contract. "He's another tremendous signing," said Gooch. "Technically he is very sound and I am confident he will be challenging for a Test place soon."

Peter Such has gone to Cambridgeshire and his successor is the 24-year-old Yorkshire offspinner James Middlebrook. Mark Ilott, the beneficiary, and one-time England candidate Ashley Cowan had moderate seasons last year and need to take wickets to make up for the departure of Ricky Anderson to Northants.

West Indian Joe Grant, plucked from a Yorkshire League side, swings the ball away at a brisk pace but is now 34. Justin Bishop, 20, bowls the same style as Ilott and is highly regarded.

Gooch will try to persuade Hussain to play a few matches, but it's not batsmen, it's match-winning bowlers he needs. Even so, a 100 or two from Nasser would help.

Captain: Ronnie Irani Coach: Graham Gooch Overseas player: Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) England contracts: Nasser Hussain, James Foster In: A Flower, J Dakin (Leics), A Habib (Leics), J Grant (Jamaica), J Middlebrook (Yorks), J Stephenson (Hants) Out: R Anderson (Northants), S Law (Lancs), S Peters (Worcs), M Davies, T Mason, P Prichard, P Such Batsman to Watch: Flower Bowler to Watch: Graham Napier

PREDICTIONS County Ch'ship Div 2: Second Norwich Union Lge Div 2: Fourth C&G Trophy: Quarter-finals B&H Trophy: First round

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