Stuart Law is poised to win the race to be the first batsman to score 1,000 runs this season.

He goes into the Championship clash against Middlesex at Southchurch Park tomorrow just 28 runs short of reaching that landmark.

Law looked a class above everybody else on view during the magnificent victory over Glamorgan at Cardiff as he blasted 140 to carry his summer's aggregate to 972.

It was his fifth century of the campaign and tomorrow he returns to a Southend ground which holds happy memories for him.

Two years ago he blasted 157 in the victory over Derbyshire and last summer it was his 126 which set up a Sunday League victory over Kent.

The County's innings and 137-run triumph against Glamorgan two days ago moved them into the top half of the table and was only their third Championship success of the season.

Final selection of their side is being delayed until the morning, but it will come as a major surprise if skipper Nasser Hussain makes changes.

Sticking to the same 11 will mean Stephen Peters keeping his place in the middle order after grasping his opportunity following his recall to the side.

He did so with a Championship-best 81 in Cardiff, an effort coming on top of an unbeaten 32 in the previous game against Lancashire.

Peters' success means that Darren Robinson and Tim Walton, both of whom were dropped against Glamorgan, face a lengthy spell out of the Championship line-up.

Robinson, however, is likely to be recalled for Sunday's one-day National League battle against Hampshire Hawks.

The Essex side to face Middlesex is expected to be: Hussain (captain), Prichard, Grayson, S Law, Irani, Peters, Hyam (wicket-keeper), Cowan, Ilott, Anderson and Such.

Stuart Law - only needs 28 runs to reach 1,000 landmark

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