Injured Trescothick misses out

Marcus Trescothick picked up a thigh injury against Northants and misses out © Getty Images

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Opening batsman Marcus Trescothick is out of Somerset’s LV County Championship against Essex at Taunton following the thigh injury he sustained against Northamptonshire on Monday.

Trescothick, who smashed 146 in the first innings, required a runner during his second innings 69 not out which saw Somerset go top of Division Two with a nine-wicket win.

Matt Walker replaces Trescothick at the top of Somerset’s order in an otherwise unchanged line-up.

All-rounder Ben Philips is still yet to make a first-team appearance this season after sustaining a shoulder injury.

Pakistan leg spinner Danish Kaneria misses out for Essex with a stiff back.

Kaneria is the leading wicket-taker in Division Two with 50 victims already this season, the same number as Division One front-runner Mushtaq Ahmed.

Essex coach Paul Grayson said: “Danish Kaneria has had a heavy workload recently so we have to be mindful of that with a tough schedule ahead over the remainder of the season.

“Hopefully with him being rested at Taunton there will be the possibility of him joining up with us at Cheltenham College (for the subsequent championship match against Gloucestershire).”

Essex are also missing off break bowler Tim Phillips, who has a shoulder injury, while Alastair Cook is on international duty with England.

Eighteen-year-old batsman Tom Westley is included in the 12-man squad following some impressive performances for the 2nd XI.

Grayson added: “Tim Phillips has seen a surgeon about his shoulder and needs another scan next week as the previous one was inconclusive.

“Depending on the pitch we could give Tom Westley a debut at Taunton. Tom has progressed nicely so this could be a good opportunity for us to get another of our young lads in.”