Chris Stocks talks to three of the main orchestrators in Essex’s first Championship success in 25 years
Essex won their first County Championship title in 25 years last week, the club achieving the feat just 12 months after gaining promotion.
In an age where the gap between the divisions is apparently widening every season, how did they do it?
TCP’s Chris Stocks spoke to three men at the heart of Essex’s success – coach Chris Silverwood, captain Ryan Ten Doeschate and long-serving batsman Ravi Bopara – to identify the key factors in the county’s remarkable triumph.
Team spirit
The atmosphere in the dressing room, where it seems the players are not just team-mates but also genuine friends, has been singled out as one of the main reasons Essex have been able to defy expectations.
Silverwood: “It is a team effort and one of the beautiful things is they all love watching each other do well. There are some very talented cricketers in that dressing-room and they’re all top blokes. The results they’ve got is what they deserve.”
Ten Doeschate: “This is a small club with limited resources, so I don’t care how other people value it, for us it feels like a World Cup. You won’t have a better feeling than this.”
Bopara: “I think winning the Championship is the best you can get. Essex is my home, it’s where I really, really enjoy playing my cricket with some of my best mates. Obviously Tendo, who I’ve spent the best part of 15 year playing with, is my best mate in cricket as well so to win something with him was always my dream.”
Belief
‘Mind the gap’ is the warning all newly promoted counties get, given so many struggle in the top tier. Essex, though, decided they would ignore any perceived gulf in class between the divisions and play their way. It worked.
This story is from the September 22,2017 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 22,2017 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.
