Cook out for unchanged Essex

Youngster Jaik Mickleburgh is set to return for Essex in place of Grant Flower

Alastair Cook's continued absence means Essex are expected to name the same XI from their opening-day draw when they face Gloucestershire in LV= County Championship Division Two.

Cook, the England opener, is likely to be out for a further week with his fractured finger.

Tom Westley and Jahid Ahmed are also in the 13-man party to travel to Bristol, while Jaik Mickleburgh will come back in for Grant Flower from the side that defeated Northamptonshire in the Friends Provident Trophy on Sunday.

Danish Kaneria is still awaiting international clearance, while Ravi Bopara and Graham Napier are away on IPL duty.

First-team coach Paul Grayson said: “Alastair underwent some tests this morning and is still in some degree of pain, however it is very much hoped that he can play against the West Indies this weekend.

“We have to admit that with the bad weather Derbyshire had the upper hand over the four days. However, after the pleasing win over Northants confidence is very high.

“The team are very much looking forward to the week ahead before returning to play the West Indies at Chelmsford."

Batsman Matt Walker, who joined from Kent in the winter, added: “It was great to get out there and score some runs in front of the Chelmsford crowd in my first one-day game for Essex.

“Most importantly it was great to contribute to a fantastic win, and get our defence of the Friends Provident Trophy off to a great start.

“It is another important game and hopefully we can get our first win in the LV= County Championship.

"It is always a difficult place to go to and play but confidence is high, if we play to our potential hopefully we can get the right result."

Gloucestershire have retained the same group of players that forced Surrey to follow on in their opening championship game.

That means that wicketkeeper Steve Snell is preferred to understudy Steve Adshead in a 12-man squad, despite the latter being chosen for the Gladiators’ seven-wicket FP Trophy win over Sussex at Bristol on Sunday.

Vikram Banerjee retains the spinner’s berth after impressing with 3-47 versus Sussex and 2-55 against Surrey. Gloucestershire’s other frontline slow bowler, Richard Dawson, remains out with an ankle injury.