Ahmed earns late Essex chance

Jahid Ahmed is rewarded for his consistency in the Second XI by a recall to the Essex team to take on Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Medium-pacer Ahmed has been the leading wicket-taker for the second-string with 28 scalps, but has had to wait until the final week for an LV County Championship appearance.

He replaces David Masters, who took just one wicket in the comprehensive defeat by Warwickshire that ended Essex’s hopes of promotion to Division One.

Varun Chopra also returns at the top of the order, in place of veteran batsman Jason Gallian.

Ryan ten Doeschate needs to take three more wickets to reach 100 first-class scalps

Chopra has made one half-century in championship cricket this season and has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the Essex side. He is expected to open with John Maunders.

Eighteen-year-old Jaik Mickleburgh, who impressed with a 60 on first-class debut against Leicestershire and 72 versus Warwickshire, retains his place in the middle-order.

Meanwhile, Ryan ten Doeschate needs just three more wickets to reach the milestone of 100 first-class wickets.

Maurice Chambers and all-rounder Graham Napier (both ankle), along with Tim Phillips (knee) all miss the final match of the season, as Essex strive for third place in Division Two.

Gloucestershire have added Tom Stayt to their squad, with Vikram Banerjee the other name added to the XI which lost to Derbyshire last week.

David Brown picked up a career-best 5-38 and 3-73 second time around, but a poor batting display needs to be improved if Gloucestershire want to beat a team riding high towards the top of the table.

Wicketkeeper Steve Snell and opener Kadeer Ali were the only batsmen to pass fifty in the last encounter as Gloucestershire crumbled to Graham Wagg.