Essex’s county cricket side are set to make an immediate return to Division Two next season after other results confirmed their relegation.
Even one of their best performances of the season against Durham yesterday could not stave off relegation back down to the league Essex won promotion from just 12 months ago.
Bowling figures of five for 70 from Chris Wright and four for 57 from Tony Palladino saw Essex take control of the match on day two at Chelmsford – as they look to bow out of Division One in style.
In other news - Matt Walker has signed a contract extension that will see him staying on at the County Ground until the end of 2011.
The stocky 36-year-old has entertained crowds throughout the season with his big hitting – although the news may not go down so well with local property owners surrounding the ground in Chelmsford after more than one of his big sixes this season cleared the stands and damaged local roof tiling.