Grayson frustrated by poor form

Essex coach Paul Grayson says their poor batting form in the County Championship is costing them dear.

Essex lost by an innings and 38 run to Middlesex on Monday and have scored just eight batting points this season.

"We're struggling up front, especially posting decent scores in our first innings," Grayson told BBC Essex.

"We're struggling with four or five players out of form. You can afford to carry one or two maybe, but there's been too many of late."

He added: "There was a bit of fight today, but we've got to post a decent innings to set a game up."

Grayson revealed they had already began to strengthen their batting line-up by signing Kent's Neil Dexter on a one-month loan deal.