Essex Cricket Club

Winners - Jimmy Neesham’s explosive 53 ensured Essex Eagles started their Vitality Blast campaign with a three-wicket win over Somerset Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Neesham stars as Essex see off Somerset in opening Vitality Blast clash
JIMMY Neesham’s explosive 53 ensured Essex Eagles started their Vitality Blast campaign with a three-wicket win over Somerset at Taunton.

Eager - Essex’s Jimmy Neesham cannot wait to start the Vitality Blast campaign tonight

Neesham cannot wait to start Vitality Blast campaign with Essex

Cut short - Essex have announced Peter Siddle will miss the rest of the county season after returning home to Australia

Peter Siddle cuts Essex spell short for ‘personal reasons’

Frustrated - Shane Snater celebrates a wicket but Essex had to settle for a home draw against Nottinghamshire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex face uphill fight to defend title after draw with Nottinghamshire

Doing battle - Essex seem to be heading for a draw against Nottinghamshire

Essex heading towards a draw with Nottinghamshire

Rained off - no play was possible on day two of Essex and Nottinghamshire’s crucial County Championship fixture at the Cloudfm County Ground

Heavy rain means no play possible on day two between Essex and Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire pair continue to dominate Essex

Nottinghamshire pair continue to dominate Essex

Key performer - Essex bowler Jamie Porter took four wickets in Durham's second innings Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex claim convincing win over Durham as lbw record falls at Riverside

Doing well - Adam Wheater top scored for Essex with 81 runs Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Adam Wheater and Ryan Ten Doeschate put Essex in the driving seat at Durham

Well played - Michael Pepper top scored for Essex with 92 Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex hit back with ball after collapsing to 182 against Durham at Riverside

Doing well - Essex bowler Peter Siddle Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Siddle enjoys 'proud day' with Essex

Out - Essex bowler Sam Cook celebrates a wicket Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Rain ruins Essex’s slim chances of victory against Warwickshire

First innings lead - Alastair Cook and Ryan ten Doeschate both hit half centuries for Essex Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Cook and ten Doeschate show class to give Essex first-innings lead

Six wickets - Peter Siddle (right) impressed for Essex Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Siddle stars for Essex before rain forces early finish

Doing well - Peter Siddle (left) took four for 36 in a masterful display Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Siddle’s four-wicket haul puts Essex in control against Warwickshire

Century up - Nick Brown has now made 100 first class appearances for Essex Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Browne records century of appearances for Essex, after coming close to leaving at start of his career

Back to winning ways - Essex thrashed Derbyshire by an innings and 15 runs Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex thrash Derbyshire to get back to winning ways

Showing the way - Simon Harmer took a career best 9/80 for Essex Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Career best figures for Harmer as Essex take control against Derbyshire

On top - Essex enjoyed a good day against Derbyshire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Dan Lawrence leads Essex onslaught against Derbyshire

Doing well - Essex bowler Shane Snater took a career best 7/98 against Nottinghamshire Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex bowler Snater thrilled to take career best figures

Beaten - Essex suffered a heavy defeat at Nottinghamshire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex suffer heavy defeat at Nottinghamshire

Doing well - Shane Snater took seven wickets for Essex Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Snater takes seven wickets but Essex still face tough task at Nottinghamshire

Bad start - Essex were bowled out for just 99 against Nottinghamshire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex bowled out for just 99 against Nottinghamshire

Battling back - Jamie Porter has become a key part of the Essex team Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

How Jamie Porter battled back to become key part of Essex's success

Well done - Essex's Simon Harmer celebrates with his team mates after taking the wicket of Ed Barnard Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex frustrated in victory bid after forcing Worcestershire to follow on

In fine form - Essex registered their highest score in the LV=Insurance County Championship for five years

Tom Westley century puts Essex in strong position against Worcestershire

Great start - Essex ended day one on 266/2 against Worcestershire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Sir Alastair Cook scores first century of season as Essex take control

Level headed - Essex coach Anthony McGrath saw his side suffer a rare defeat against Warwickshire

Essex coach McGrath stays level headed following rare defeat

Beaten - Essex suffered a seven wicket defeat at Edgbaston Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex suffer seven wicket defeat at Warwickshire

Well played - Dan Lawrence hit a half century for Essex Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Warwickshire and Essex set up compelling final day at Edgbaston

In the game - Essex's bowlers had Warwickshire 243/8 at the close of play

Warwickshire pair frustrate Essex at Edgbaston

Solid start - Essex were bowled out for 295 at Warwickshire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS es

Essex dismissed for 295 on hard-fought opening day at Edgbaston

Pleased - Simon Harmer hailed Essex’s character as they fought back to claim a remarkable victory against Durham Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Harmer hails Essex's spirit after stunning win against Durham

Great win - Essex fought back to brilliantly beat Durham Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex fight back to secure sensational victory against Durham

Fighting back - Essex have worked their way back into their clash with Durham Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex duo Paul Walter and Ben Allison set up final-day thriller against Durham

Bowled - Essex opener Nick Browne is dismissed Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex facing first home County Championship defeat in three years

Eventful - 18 wickets fell on the first day day at the County Ground Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex dismissed for 96 on eventful opening day against Durham

Getting his chance - Ben Allison has become the latest player to progress from the famed and envied Essex academy

Essex bowler Allison determined to build on first-team debut

Match drawn - Jake Libby (left) carried his bat to labour to the second-longest LV= Insurance County Championship innings in terms of minutes as Worcestershire drew with champions Essex Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex draw with Worcestershire in opening match of season

Fighting back - Worcestershire ended the day 350/6 against Essex

Worcestershire fight back to frustrate Essex

Doing well - Essex are on top against Worcestershire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Captain Tom Westley rolls back years with supreme double century for Essex

Good start - Essex finished day one 207/3 against Worcestershire

Essex begin title defence with good opening day against Worcestershire

Boosted - Essex bowler Jamie Porter (left) enjoyed speaking with England star Jimmy Anderson

Essex star Jamie Porter hoping for England call after picking Jimmy Anderson’s brain

Aiming high - Tom Westley is urging his players to continue their recent years of success

Essex skipper Westley targets more success

Enjoying himself - Sir Alastair Cook has found fulfilment after returning full-time to the county set-up and is prepared to play on beyond the end of this season if that enjoyment continues

Sir Alastair Cook open to keeping county cricket career going past this season

Relieved - Essex star Dan Lawrence

Essex star Dan Lawrence happy with first England steps on ‘challenging’ subcontinent tour

Getting ready - Essex are planning for another successful season

Essex having to prepare 'differently' ahead of new season

Amended - Somerset's 12-point deduction for preparing a substandard pitch against Essex in the 2019 County Championship decider has been reduced to eight

Somerset sanction amended for pitch in title decider against Essex

Great start - Essex star Dan Lawrence helped England to victory on his international debut

Essex star Lawrence guides England to victory on international debut

Giving his backing - England head coach Chris Silverwood

Chris Silverwood backs ‘fighter’ Dan Lawrence to make step up to Test cricket

Gunning for more glory - Essex cricket club

Essex begin defence of County Championship title against Worcestershire

More success - Essex have won the Bob Willis Trophy final Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS/TGS PHOTOS

Essex win Bob Willis Trophy final against Somerset

Memorable day - for Essex star Sir Alastair Cook Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS/TGS PHOTOS

Cook still relishing role at Essex after hitting mammoth century in Trophy final

Jumping for joy - Essex bowler Aaron Beard Picture: GAVIN ELLIS/TGS PHOTOS

Beard feels better than ever before as Essex close in on victory