Chambers out of T20 semi-finals
Essex fast bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Maurice-Chambers-c1934 will not play in the Twenty20 finals day on Saturday being forced out because of injury.
Chambers has been a key figure in the Essex side this season but he will not take part after picking up a side strain. Fortunately for Essex the arrival of Alastair Cook and Dwayne Bravo to the team will ease any issues over personnel.
Coach Paul Grayson said: "Unfortunately Maurice is going to be out for another week to 10 days. Carter should be OK for the weekend, he's going to have a run-out on Wednesday for Lincolnshire. We're hoping Dwayne Bravo's still going to be here and Ravi Bopara bowled for the first time in two weeks."
Essex have a very strong outside chance of lifting the English T20 trophy but they will have to wrap other players up in cotton wool with finals day now only two days away. The balance of the Essex team looks very good and they will consider themselves fortunate that they will probably play a Kevin Pietersen-less http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hampshire-c789.
Balanced side
Essex have key players all over their team. Cook and Ravi Bopara will be the key players at the top of the order even though Cook is clearly out of form in the England team at the moment. However, Essex are likely to take the pressure off of him, which will allow him to focus on scoring runs.
Dwayne Bravo is due to come into the team and he would be the ideal person to replace Chambers. Bravo can bat up the order or lower in the order and has plenty of experience in terms of bowling in T20 tournaments.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Grant-c60671 Flower is going to be a very important figure on the day and will have an important job to do. He can keep everyone calm and can stop the younger players in the team from getting overwhelmed by the occasion.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Graham-c60529 Gooch is likely to be in the Essex dressing room for the day and his coaching experience will be vital. He can help prepare the team and will play a big role in identifying the weaknesses of the opposition players.
Betting advice
Have a punt on Essex who look the third strongest team after http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nottinghamshire-c826 and Somerset. However, these other two teams play each other in the semi-finals and one will be eliminated.
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