COUNTY CRICKET

ESSEX County Cricket Club made an operating loss of just over £30,000 last year but this translated into a profit of £16,659 when money from investments is taken into account.

"While we do not aim to make a huge profit, the current level is unsatisfactory and limits our ability to in invest in new players," treasurer Keith Brown reports to members in the club's annual report.

"Therefore, the redevelopment of the ground is key to generating new income streams from both cricket and non-match day events that will enable us to compete in the market for top class players."

Largely because of the success of the Twenty20 competition during which matches were played out in front of packed crowds, receipts from action at Chelmsford grossed £785,760 that resulted in a net income of just under £566,000 when direct expenses were taken into account.

The Festival Week at Colchester produced a handy profit of £9,030 but the games at Southend's Garon Park resulted in a profit of only £985.

As for the development of the Chelmsford ground, Brown stated that the wheels were in motion to lodge a planning application in May.

"We need to reach an agreement with the Environment Agency in respect of flooding issues, and are discussing the design and density of housing which is vital to the viability of the project," he said.

With the start of a new season looming large, coach Paul Grayson was sounding an optimistic note.

"There has been a high intensity level about practice sessions that have already taken place and I feel that will stand the players in good stead for the summer ahead," he said.

New players on view this summer will be Jason Gallian, the vastly experienced opening batsman who was with Nottinghamshire last year, fast bowler David Masters from Leicestershire and paceman Chris Wright, who has signed on a two-year deal from Middlesex.

An additional face on the coaching staff is bowling coach Graeme Welch, the former Warwickshire and Derbyshire all-rounder.

The county are currently in Dubai where they are involved in a pre-season tournament that also involves Lancashire, Somerset, Sussex, Yorkshire and a team representing UAE.

Although they beat the local side by ten runs in the first fixture, Grayson's men then lost to a Lancashire side, that included Andrew Flintoff, by 65 runs.