It's interesting to see the roads counties take in order to achieve success and on way is poaching players from other clubs, which has been highlighted by Sir Ian in the past week and I do feel for counties, in this recent case Durham, that have either their better players poached in Stoneman, Borthwick, now potentially Jennings, or clubs lose their promising players as they search accelerated development and enhanced salaries at the so-called bigger counties.
As Essex complete yet another remarkable win from nowhere, looking at their dynamics, in terms of playing squad, it is surely close to an ideal template for clubs that can combine shrewd recruits with young homegrown players and indeed experienced players that all have the clubs best interests at heart and through this build a work ethic and belief on the pitch that allows them such victories from some desperate situations. The value of a strong club scene and academy, and some patience and long-term planning from the club.
Recent signings in Varun Chopra and Adam Wheater are both local boys and former Essex players whose club values are already instilled in them. Sam Cook the latest hero today has been a real find, while Jamie Porter has been fantastic all year long, Simon Harmer has surely proved a Kolpak signing that has excelled beyond all expectations and over seas players Mo Amir and Neil Wagner have both contributed to winning Essex games. Nick Browne, Tom Westley, Daniel Lawrence, have all played their part alongside the more experienced ten Doeschate, Bopara and Cook when he's been available. Oh, and there's also a pretty useful local gloveman in there too!
When it's been plain sailing Essex have piled up first innings runs, resulting in aiming to bowl the opposition out on the final day on a wearing pitch with Harmer causing countless issues and Porter nipping the ball about in a relentless fashion constantly at the incoming batsmen. When Essex have been behind the 8-ball, someone has stood up with a match saving innings or a spell of bowling to somehow drag them back into the game.
