By Paul Newman
PUBLISHED: 04:41 EST, 30 June 2013 | UPDATED: 12:31 EST, 1 July 2013
Alastair Cook leads out England in familiar territory as his side take on Essex at Chelmsford in a four-day warm-up match ahead of the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.
The Aussies secured a six-wicket win over Somerset on Saturday in their first warm-up match and England will be looking to lay down a marker of their own ahead of the first test at Trent Bridge on July 10.
Joe Root is given the chance to open the batting alongside Essex man Cook while Kevin Pietersen will appear in England whites for the first time since injuring his knee in New Zealand in March. James Anderson and Stuart Broad are expected to be rested, allowing Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn and Graham Onions the chance to stake an Ashes claim.
Tymal Mills has shown excellent pace to add the wicket of Jonathan Trott to that of Alastair Cook from this morning while the 23-year-old leg-spinner Tom Craddock is having the day of his fledgling career after coming on to pick up the prize scalps of Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and, just before tea, Matt Prior. And this from a bowler who before today had not picked up a first-class wicket in two championship matches this season!
What a piece of fielding, by the way, that was from Jaik Mickleburgh at short leg. There are those who might say that should have been a dead ball because Mickleburgh was on the move before the ball had reached Bell but I would prefer to pay tribute to a sensational piece of skill.
As soon as he saw that Bell was shaping to play a lap sweep Mickleburgh anticipated what was going to happen and pulled off a stunning reflex catch to his right.
2.40pm: A rare sighting on a ground in the last few months - Jonny Bairstow playing cricket not carrying drinks. Off mark from another full toss.
Root should be fine as should be Stuart Broad who was rested from this game with a sore shoulder. But Root got some good practice under his belt before Kevin Pietersen was welcomed back to the England fold after his injury problems with some very accommodating bowling from Mahmood and Ravi Bopara. He will fancy batting all after noon alongside Jonathan Trott.'
Sportsmail's Paul Newman at Chelmsford: 'Well, Mahmood doesn't seem to have the pace anymore that once enthused Fletcher.'
11.29am: Alastair Cook has edged a cut behind to fall for 18. The delivery from Mills was a rapid 92.9mph.
10.55am: The Essex XI is - Westley, Mickleburgh, Rutherford, Shah, Bopara, Pettini, Foakes, Mahmood, Masters, Craddock, Mills.
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