A hard-hitting 69 by veteran wicketkeeper-batsman James Foster put champions Essex in control of their Specsavers County Championship game against Lancashire and in line for their first win of the season.

Essex’s Simon Harmer was delighted to see the ball spinning so much at Chelmsford as 18 wickets fell on the first day of their match with Lancashire.

The enduring partnership of Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer bowled Essex back into their opening Specsavers County Championship match of the season after the champions were skittled for 150 inside two sessions by Lancashire’s seamers.

With the sun due to shine relentlessly on The Cloudfm County Ground for the next four days, in marked contrast to the inactivity at Headingley last week, Simon Harmer will relish the buzz of expectation that will herald his every stride to the crease.

Newham Cricket Club is gearing up for its 10th season after a successful 2017 campaign.

Jamie Porter has had a tough winter, but will hope to show it was a blessing in disguise with a good showing against Lancashire this week

The County Championship Division One champions saw their season start without a ball being bowled with Headingley not safe enough for any play

The third day of the Specsavers County Championship match between Yorkshire and Essex at Emerald Headingley went the way of the previous two, abandoned without a ball bowled.

County champions Essex and Yorkshire were subjected to more frustration as day two of their Specsavers County Championship match was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Yorkshire and Essex were left contemplating a soggy start to the new season as the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship match at Emerald Headingley was abandoned shortly after lunch.

Graham Gooch won the County Championship title six times with Essex – as well as all other domestic trophies – during his own hugely successful playing career.

Simon Harmer wants to help Essex stay one step ahead of the opposition as they start out on the defence of their county championship title.

Jamie Porter was keen to make the acquaintance of Essex’s incoming Australian quick, Peter Siddle.

With the exception of Mohammad Amir – who only played two and a half games in the Championship, albeit one to devastating effect – champions Essex retain the same squad for their title defence.

The Leytonstone-born seamer claimed 75 scalps last season, but has endured some difficult moments since the title success

Former Essex and England captain Graham Gooch says members of the current squad can force their way into the national team this season, writes Lee Power.

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath has named a 13-man squad for the first game of the 2018 County Championship season, with Peter Siddle due to make his debut against Yorkshire at Headingley.

The South Woodford favourite discusses trying to create a dynasty and why he was always going to sign a contract extension with the club

Graham Gooch paid tribute to the efforts of veteran Essex wicketkeeper James Foster in their county championship triumph ahead of the 2018 season, writes Lee Power.

The local youngster looks ahead to the 2018 season, discusses Anthony McGrath’s promotion and reveals his own targets for the campaign

Wicket-keeper discusses new head coach, new assistant coach Dimitri Mascarenhas and his own coaching ambitions

The all-rounder, who earned a professional contract in June 2016, whilst with Hornchurch, is determined to show more improvement this year

The former Oakfield Parkonians cricketer was named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year earlier today after a stunning 2017

Essex’s final warm-up match before the Specsavers County Championship season starts on Friday, was reduced to just 66 and a half overs across the weekend.

Nick Browne wasted little time in recording his first century of the new domestic season at Fenner’s.

Nick Browne’s eyes light up when he contemplates Essex’s three-day warm-up match against Cambridge MCCU, starting today at Fenner’s.

Essex County Cricket Club’s championship winning players and employees celebrated their historic victory with a special ceremony at County Hall on Thursday night.

NewVic College finally got their hands on the UEL FE Tornado tape-ball shield at the sixth time of asking.

There was certainly a sense of anticipation as the curtain raiser to the 2018 season drew ever closer in Barbados.

Wanstead youngster Feroze Khushi could make his first-class debut for Essex as they take on the MCC at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Essex lost the second of their three warm-up matches in Barbados ahead of their champions clash with the MCC next week.

The 42-year-old discussed the importance of getting the group together in Barbados and why he won’t change too much after replacing Chris Silverwood

Alastair Cook’s friendly reunion with Essex team-mate Neil Wagner will have to be put on hold when the serious business of England’s first Test with New Zealand starts in Auckland.

Alastair Cook admits it is a daily struggle to conquer the self-doubts which can constrain even his all-time record run-scoring habits.

While Essex had representatives in the four corners of the cricket-playing world over the winter, the sensation of September, Sam Cook, stayed home and buried his head in books.

Eoin Morgan could only rue the collapse which cost England a one-day international series victory against New Zealand.

Ex-Hampshire man to join Chelmsford-based club from March 1

Wagner to rejoin Essex in May and will be available to play in all competitions

Australian leg-spinner joins Eagles ranks for this year’s tournament

Essex County Cricket Club have announced that Australian opening bowler Peter Siddle will join the county champions for the first five Championship games of the 2018 season.

Elmhurst saw off challenge from five borough rivals to win

Jamie Porter will make his second trip of the winter to the Desert Springs Resort this weekend keen to make up for lost time with the Lions.

In an article from our ‘Year in Sport’ pull-out, the talented opener looks ahead to the new County Championship Division One season and reveals his target

England’s failure to capitalise on opportunities in key moments of the Ashes resulted in their 4-0 loss to a “far better” Australia side, Jimmy Anderson admitted after the series drew to a close in Sydney.