Paul Prichard is not expected to pull on an Essex sweater again until next month.

The former county skipper, his wrist encased in plaster, revealed that he expects to be out of action until the beginning of July.

"The tendons are damaged and I just have to be patient and wait for the problem to clear up," he said.

Prichard suffered the injury during the clash against Gloucestershire and his prolonged absence is a bitter blow for the county.

Following his trials and tribulations last summer, when he scored only 237 Championship runs, he started this season in a rich vein of form.

In 11 first class innings before his injury he gathered four 50s and one century while aggregating 441 runs at an average of just over 40.

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