Essex Eagles will be fighting for their Totesport League first division lives when they go into action against Glamorgan in their day-night clash at Chelmsford.

A victory this evening will be good enough to prevent them being relegated and they must somehow overcome the crushing disappointment of losing to their Welsh opponents in the Championship yesterday if they are to succeed.

It was a record-breaking defeat for Essex, having piled together an almighty 642 in their first innings.

However, they eventually went down by four wickets and never before in the history of the game worldwide has a team scored so many runs in their first innings and still lost.

The one big thing in their favour tonight is that Glamorgan, who were crowned totesport League champions a couple of weeks ago, are expected to field a below-strength side.

Matthew Maynard is rated doubtful with a groin injury, while Darren Thomas and Jonathan Hughes are being rested.

Ian Thomas, Andrew Davies and Ryan Watkins have been called up into the squad and are expected to play.

Essex, meanwhile, might welcome back young fast bowler Tony Palladino for his first senior match since severely dislocating a shoulder at Colchester towards the end of last summer.

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Published Monday, September 6, 2004

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