WORCESTERSHIRE CCC have announced an unchanged 13 strong squad for their opening County Championship match against reigning champions Essex at Chelmsford.

The County will select from the same players chosen for the three-day game with Somerset at Taunton and the two-day fixture against Kent at Canterbury.

Batsman Gareth Roderick is in contention to make his competitive debut for his new County after moving from Gloucestershire on a three-year contract.

He is one of eight players who scored half-centuries or more during a successful ten-day warm-up programme.

The bowlers also impressed during the sequence of four fixtures, with Club Captain picking up 16 wickets and Dillon Pennington 15, including a superb 6-36 against Kent.

Head Coach Alex Gidman said: “Pre-season has been good. We couldn’t have asked for much more from a weather point of view, and the facilities at Kidderminster have been good, and they put in a great lot of effort for us there.

“When we went away, we had some excellent cricket wickets to play on against some good opposition, and we are pleased with where things are at, and the lads have been outstanding, and we are looking forward to getting started.

“Naturally, we expect Essex to be a tough challenge, but it’s one we are quietly looking forward to and embracing the challenge.

“We can come down here and pit ourselves against the best side in the country for the last three or four years and give it a really good crack.

“If it goes well, it goes well, and if it doesn’t go quite so well, we will have a really good indicator of where we are at and the areas we need to improve.

“We haven’t picked the final eleven yet, but if Gareth does play, it will be a really exciting day for him. He is part of the squad and has done very well over pre-season and, if selected, he will be very excited about the challenge that lies ahead.”

Gidman expects West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph to be available for next week’s match with Derbyshire at Derby.

The County’s overseas player, who is available for seven Championship matches, flew into England on Sunday.

Gidman confirmed: “He is in quarantine now, but the idea is he will be available for next week at Derby.”

WORCESTERSHIRE CCC (from):

Daryl Mitchell

Jake Libby

Tom Fell

Gareth Roderick

Jack Haynes

Brett D’Oliveira

Riki Wessels

Ben Cox +

Ed Barnard

Joe Leach *

Dillon Pennington

Charlie Morris

Adam Finch