Essex cricket's young-guns could be squaring off against England fast bowler Alex Tudor and number three batsman Mark Butcher in tomorrow's second XI Trophy game against Surrey at Castle Park, Colchester.

Surrey coach Alan Butcher has pencilled in England opening bowler Tudor in his side as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.

Also included will be batsman Nadeem Shahid, James Benning and Scott Newman and bowlers Tim Murtagh and Philip Sampson.

There is also a slight possibility that his son, England batsman Mark Butcher, may make the journey to Castle Park to try to get some runs under his belt before rejoining the England Test party.

Essex assistant coach John Childs has named four Academy players in his squad for tomorrow's match.

Fast bowler Tony Paladino, who took two wickets in his first team debut against Zimbabwe on Sunday, will spearhead the attack with Joe Grant.

The three other Academy players are twins Adnan and Arfan Akram and 18-year-old batsman Gareth James.

Both the Akrams and Paladino, students at Anglia Polytechnic, have been starring for the University of Cambridge Centre of Cricketing Excellence side this year with Arfan notching up his maiden First Class 100.

The side, which will be skippered by Barry Hyam in the absence through injury of John Stephenson, includes opening batsman Will Jefferson who is desperately trying to rediscover his early season form.

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Published Tuesday, June 24, 2003

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