"As I now live in Hants, I get to see the games Essex play at the Rose Bowl" - is the Rose Bowl any good? I have not been there yet, but heard supposed to be, although had traffic problems last year with the international match. Must be better than the concrete jungle that is Chelmsford!!

"I have fears Essex are on the wane a bit as a power" - ups and downs in all sports, currently on a down but I am sure we will come again (always optimistic), have many exciting youngsters at the club, if they can be nurtured correctly should be a success. Not sure Irani is the right captain for the job, too emotional, maybe Flower slightly saner!! might do a better job, what do you think?

Nasser could not agreed with you more, could have at least seen out the season, would have been a fitting if he managed to get us promoted, rather than leave us mid-season. However money talks and I am sure Sky offered him a nice big contract. Really with Nasser, Essex was not that important, only really cared about playing for England, so no surprise that soon as he gave that up that, would finish completely. Also only really in the last season before retiring did he start scoring runs for Essex, most of the time he actually scored very little, did not seem interested!

"ECCC forum is a bit odd" you telling me, very strange, everyone on there seems to be very depressed and constantly criticising, rarely say anything positive, I know we did not have a great season, but also did not have such a bad season, the top 9 all scored hundreds, lots of wickets for Kaneria, so not all that bad, although you would not know it from that board! This is why nice to have found this board so post!