Essex coach unhappy with schedule

Essex coach Paul Grayson is not happy that his side have to play in the Friends Provident Trophy final the day after finishing a four-day game.

The Eagles meet Kent at Lord's on Saturday, just hours after concluding their County Championship match with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Grayson told BBC Essex: "I think its something that needs to be looked at in the future."

"But no excuses from us, we had a few days off last week."

The meeting is the sixth between the two sides this season, the most recent being Kent's victory in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 Cup.

Grayson said: "They're a side that we do not fear, it's a side we respect.

"It's a great day for somebody to really stand up and be counted, it's a very special day and I've got 100% belief we'll have a good day."

Essex have named a 15-man squad for the fixture, only Maurice Chambers is out with an ankle injury.

Alastair Cook and Ravinder Bopara are both available for selection after international duty.

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