Pirates are excited at BBL chance

Essex Pirates director Ian Mollard has said he cannot wait for the start of their first BBL campaign.

The Southend-based franchise will be handed the fixture list by the end of June with the season getting underway in September.

Mollard told BBC Essex: "We're ecstatically happy and can't wait to get started.

"We're trying to build a predominantly British team but we'll also need some experienced players."