Ronnie Irani came out of his corner fighting today in a bid to silence the critics as Essex cricketers battled to turn their poor season around.

Irani and his underfire team-mates start a four-day Frizzell Championship match against Leicestershire at Grace Road after a disastrous run of five one-day defeats in the last nine days.

Those losses have crushed any hopes of clinching silverware this season, while the National League squad are staring relegation in the face.

Life in the County Championship is little better, with Essex still awaiting their first win following last year's relegation to Division Two.

But tough-talking Irani vowed: "We will bounce back and show our critics that we can play cricket. "We have to, we have no choice and those five defeats really hurt me.

"Our season might be over as far as winning trophies is concerned, but there are still 14 games to go and there's a lot of pride still to play for.

"I've taken the onus upon myself to lead from the front. It's tough going -- not just for me, for everyone.

"But everytime I walk out on that pitch I'm so proud to be the Essex captain and if I have to I'll sweat blood to make this county great again."

Published Wednesday July 21, 2004

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