Chambers ready to return

Maurice Chambers has not played in the championship since his debut in 2005

Maurice Chambers could make his first LV County Championship appearance for almost three years when Essex meet Worcestershire tomorrow.

The pace bowler has not played any championship cricket since making his debut against Derbyshire in June 2005; he has been plagued by injuries and missed the whole of last season with a stress fracture of the back.

However, he is now considered fit enough to return, and has been included in a 13-man squad to travel to New Road.

First team coach Paul Grayson said: "We feel with Maurice that we want to get him back involved in and around the first-team set-up because he shows a lot of potential.

"We are not sure if he will play at Worcester but if the pitch shows signs of being uneven and a bit up and down then he may come in. Maurice gives us another option.”

Batsman Varun Chopra is the only other addition to the team which hung on to secure a draw with Leicestershire last week.

Worcestershire have not played in the championship for two weeks and yesterday’s Friends Provident Trophy match was rained off without a ball being bowled, so they will be keen to get some cricket under their belts this week.

Simon Jones continues his return from injury, having taken 5-92 against Gloucestershire a fornight ago.

Fellow seamer Kabir Ali is named in the squad after missing out in the last game, alongside his cousin Moeen Ali who makes up the 13 from the team which played in the previous encounter.