Tim Phillips was due to be given his first-class debut when Essex tackled Sri Lanka A in a four-day match starting at Chelmsford yesterday.

The 18-year-old left arm spinner, who made his senior debut in the National League game against Hampshire at Southend last Sunday, was one of four teenagers preparing to do battle against the tourists.

The others were opening batsman Ian Flanagan, all-rounder Graham Napier and fast bowler Justin Bishop, who have all played at senior level.

Predictably Essex are using the match to give players like Phillips an opportunity to try and confirm their promise.

Only five players facing Sri Lanka - Ronnie Irani, Paul Grayson, Peter Such, Barry Hyam and Stephen Peters - turned out in the Championship victory against Middlesex at Southchurch Park.

Three others are ruled out through injury. Left arm paceman Mark Ilott is expected to miss the next six weeks after undergoing a knee operation at the weekend, while former captain Paul Prichard and seamer Ricky Anderson are also receiving treatment from physio James Davis.

Prichard aggravated a wrist injury during the dual with Middlesex while Anderson is reported to have "tweaked a knee" in the same match.

The good news, however, is that both are expected to be ready to take their place in the side when the county return to championship action against Northamptonshire at the end of the month.

With Nasser Hussain away skipping England in the second Test against New Zealand at Lord's Irani is in charge of the team against Sri Lanka.

Essex line up as follows: Irani, Grayson, Flanagan, Hodgson, Peters, D Law, Napier, Hyam, Phillips, Bishop and Such.

Paul Grayson won the Essex player of the month award for June.

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