Jefferson named player of the month

Will Jefferson has been named as Essex's player of the month for April.

Jefferson was presented the award during Essex's Championship match against Leicestershire at Chelmsford. In April, Jefferson trotted out a string of big scores, including 144 against Cambridge UCCE, 74 against Yorkshire, 85 against Somerset, and 128 in the current match against Leicestershire.

"Obviously Will worked hard on his game during the winter and he has come into form early on," John Childs, Essex's assistant coach, said. "He has been very confident in his play, which has built up since his opening century against Cambridge UCCE.

"He has had to play on a couple of difficult wickets this season at Headingley and the Riverside, but has played well on both. Will has continued his good form into May and the double-century stand with Alastair Cook in the current game with Leicestershire augurs well for them to be a long and fruitful opening pair in the future."