Essex drop Tsotsobe

Essex have dropped South Africa fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe from their squad to face Surrey at Whitgift School this week. Tsotsobe has taken just five wickets at 77.60 runs in three Championship games and Essex, who have one win from their five opening matches, have decided he must pay the price for his poor form.

"Quite simply, he's just not bowling well enough," said Essex first team coach Paul Grayson. "We haven't seen enough from him in Championship cricket and the decision comes down purely to form. Whether or not you are an overseas player, it doesn't really matter. If you are not performing then we have to make some changes."

With Tsotsobe sitting out, Graham Napier is set to play his first senior four-day match since sustaining a back injury in the match against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl last June. Michael Comber has also been named but Ravi Bopara is missing due to his involvement with the England Lions against Sri Lanka.

"Maurice Chambers has done pretty well in the second team in the last couple of games and is ready to play and Graham Napier is also back from injury. I thought Chris Wright bowled well last week along with David Masters at Derby, while we also have Michael Comber waiting for his opportunity so we have options.

"We are not scared of making decisions. Tsotsobe's done alright in the one-dayers so far but he's had three Championship games and has not performed to the standard we require in four-day cricket. He has not been good enough."

Surrey have also had to tweak their squad after Jade Dernbach's Lions call-up, but will be able to call upon both Kevin Pietersen and Chris Tremlett, while Mark Ramprakash will also return to a strong 12-man squad after missing the weekend's Clydesdale Bank 40 victory against Scotland.

"With Kevin Pietersen being made available by the ECB for this game, once again we have had to shuffle our batting order," said Surrey Professional Cricket Manager Chris Adams. "This means Jason Roy misses out and Tom Maynard will get the opportunity to open the innings. Whilst it is always preferable to have a settled batting order, in this instance it is a nice problem to have."