Essex 7/2 to right four-day struggles

Essex have disappointed in the County Championship since being relegated four years ago but they have become strong challengers for promotion over the last two seasons and can be backed at 7/2 to win Division Two in 2015.

In the past two seasons, Essex have entered the final round of matches with an outside chance of going up but have missed out twice with their slow starts eventually costing them. Next season could be time to put right those near misses.

They have one of the best squads in Division Two and while their batting may have not produced big runs, their bowling attack consistently proves potent enough to win matches. If Essex can extend their traditional late-season surge - they won their last five matches this year - to earlier in the year, 7/2 is going to look short about them winning the 2015 Division Two title.