IF YOU stand still, you go backwards – Anthony McGrath and Essex have no intention of letting the chasing pack catch up with them in 2018.
Siddle will arrive at Chelmsford for the first five games of the Championship season while leg-spinner Zampa will join for the T20 Blast.
And while it is Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer who got the headlines for their bowling heroics last year – they combined for 147 first-class scalps – it should not be overlooked that their overseas options also made a huge impact.
Mohammad Amir and Neil Wagner both made sizeable contributions and when it comes to the County Championship this time around – Siddle is expected to do the same.
And McGrath, who takes over the top job from Chris Silverwood this season after being assistant head coach last term, did plenty of research before opting for the 33-year-old.
“Boof (Australia coach Darren Lehmann) has been busy with the Ashes and so on, but I have had a few texts from him,” said McGrath, who played with Lehmann at Yorkshire.
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