Published: 05/02/2010 10:07:48 | Modified: 05/02/2010 10:14:43
Author: Paul Hiscock | All Contributors
Essex plans held up on two fronts
Essex plans ahead of the new season are on hold on two fronts at present.
The availability of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is still unknown as the county await information from the Pakistan Cricket Board concerning their demands on the services of the influential bowler for their tour to England this summer.
To add to this uncertainty, news has now come that the Secretary of State has postponed his decision on the planning application for the County Ground at Chelmsford until April 8 this year, to allow parties time to provide additional information.
The Kaneria situation is causing something of a dilemma for coach Paul Grayson as he attempts to formulate a successful strategy for the county, who this summer will be enjoying first division cricket for the first time since 2003.
Kaneria has pledged his willingness to play for Essex both ahead and after the tour, should the Pakistan authorities allow, but although Grayson would love to have the bowler in his armoury, he admits that the PCB may want the player to rest ahead of what will be arduous tour schedule.
Should that be the case, then Grayson admits that the county would look elsewhere and for a different type of bowler.
"Of course, I would love to have Danish in our side, but at present we don't know what the situation is," Grayson admitted. "If I'm honest, and we didn't have Danish for the first three months of the season, then I'd be looking to bring a good quick overseas bowler to the club.
"We have put out a few feelers and we do have a few names on our radar but we really can't move in that direction until the situation with Danish is finalised."
Meanwhile, the county have been requested to look again at a couple of issues regarding the proposed ground redevelopment ahead of a final decision by the Secretary of State.
Essex treasurer and chairman of the Ground Development Panel, Keith Brown, said: "We welcome the Secretary of State's letter. It has allowed us to look at two particular aspects of the development which we and MCD, as our development partners, are happy to do.
"We will be re-visiting the plans in respect of that part of the redevelopment that abuts New Writtle Street. We are already reviewing this and we will discuss our revised proposals with the relevant parties."
Steven Byrne, chief executive of MCD Developments Ltd, said: "We have already engaged our design team in looking at the two separate aspects highlighted by the Secretary of State and hope to be in a position to provide the clarification required by the Department of Communities and Local Government within the next week or two."
Essex chief executive David East added: "The Ford County Ground at Chelmsford is busy preparing for the upcoming cricket season which begins on Friday April 9 with the visit of Hampshire in the County Championship Division One.
"Moving forwards, in order to be able to plan for the future, we need the certainty of a successful outcome to the planning process."