Essex seek an end to underachievement

Last year 5th, CC Div 2; Quarter-finals, FLt20; 5th in Group A, CB40.

2012 in a nutshell Disappointing. Bearing in mind the talent available in the Essex squad, there were realistic hopes that the club would achieve promotion and challenge for a limited-overs trophy in 2012. In the end, they did neither and, to increase their frustration, a seamer they had released - Chris Wright - played a prominent role in helping Warwickshire to the Championship title. They finished below Netherlands in the CB40 and won only three games in Division Two - only Northants did worse. There are some mitigating factors: the club was weakened by IPL absences - Owais Shah and Ryan ten Doeschate both missed several weeks of the season - Ravi Bopara played a peripheral part due to personal issues and England call-ups, and poor weather did little to help gain any momentum. Had they prevailed in a brave run-chase against Hampshire - they fell three short when chasing 360 at Chelmsford in July - their Championship season may have ended differently. Still, there is no escaping the fact that too few of their promising young players have developed as anticipated and too much is required of senior players such as Graham Napier, David Masters, Shah and Bopara. The decision to release Michael Comber and the loss of Adam Wheater to Hampshire underlined the impression that the club continues to struggle to develop their players once they graduate from the academy to the professional game. Chopping and changing the side has not helped.

2013 prospects The squad remains as strong as any in the second division and is seemingly well suited to limited-overs cricket, too. The bowling attack has a nice blend of youth and experience and the batting looks strong, long and explosive. Their new acquisitions are intriguing: Australian Rob Quiney looks a modest overseas signing but, keen to force his way into Ashes contention, has all the motivation required to succeed, while Sajid Mahmood, for all his qualities, has been frustrating his coaches for more than a decade. Quite why a club blessed with so much young bowling talent requires such an addition remains open to debate. Shaun Tait should prove an eye-catching signing in the T20 and, along with the likes of ten Doeschate, Bopara and Napier, gives Essex several potential match-winners. Anything less than qualification to the quarter-finals of the T20 should be considered a failure, while they really should be able to mount a serious promotion challenge.

Key player If Bopara is available for the entire season, he could play a huge role for Essex. He topped their batting averages in the Championship and the CB40 last year and, requiring outstanding performances in order to revive his international career, should be motivated. Quite what frame of mind he may be in remains to be seen but, if Bopara is fit and firing, he could well lead a promotion challenge.

Bright young thing Essex is a club bursting with young talent. Ben Foakes, a wicketkeeper batsman, has already been fast-tracked into the England Lions side and looks set to start the season playing as a specialist batsman. Tymal Mills, a left-arm bowler of unusual pace, is equally exciting. But the real gem may turn out to be another left-arm bowler, Reece Topley. Blessed with great height and an ability to swing the ball, Topley appears to have all the attributes to develop into a high-class performer.

Captain/coach Paul Grayson, the head coach, and James Foster, the captain, have been together for a few years but, despite assembling a strong squad, have yet to gain the success that was anticipated. The fact that Essex have just appointed a new chief executive - Derek Bowden succeeding David East - could herald change if 2013 is another year of underachievement.

ESPNcricinfo verdict On paper, they have the talent to challenge for limited-overs trophies and promotion but if they are to prosper they will have to work out which is their best team and stick with it.