[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

The unstoppable draw machine that is Worcestershire County Cricket Club welcomes Essex to New Road on Thursday for what promises to be an enticing return encounter following the high-scoring season opener in Chelmsford that kicked off the month. With a gargantuan question mark hovering over the drought-stricken numbers three, four and five in the Pears batting order, Jack Haynes has a very strong chance of making his first senior appearance of the season, having done very little wrong last year and scoring an imperious 165 for the second XI last weekend. The question is who will make way: Tom Fell will probably be saved by his 69 against Derbyshire, and Brett D'Oliveira is too valuable as a spinner to be dropped, so new arrival Gareth Roderick seems the most likely candidate. Though on paper this match looks like another good one to draw, Essex have looked incredibly wobbly these last couple of weeks, and with a bit of self-belief there may just be an opportunity for the Pears to go one better.

Venue: New Road, Worcester

Last Essex Visit: May 2018, Essex won by 32 runs

Highest Pears innings: 650-7 declared, June 2006

Highest individual Pears score: 244 - Philip Anthony Jaques, June 2006

Highest Pears partnership: 279, 1st wicket - Cyril Frederick Walters & Harold Harry Ian Haywood Gibbons, May 1934