There's no place like home - or so we are led to believe.

But try telling that to the Essex players and you will run the risk of having to duck under a few verbal bounces.

The county go into today's clash against Warwickshire seeking their first Championship victory at Chelmsford since they overcame Durham two years ago.

Since then they have lost six of their ten games at Headquarters, one of those set backs arriving in 1997 when Warwickshire crushed them by eight wickets with a day to spare.

On that occasion, they managed a total of only 279 in two completed innings, their resistance swept away by the sheer pace of South African test star Allan Donald.

Following the innings and 22 runs defeat against champions, Leicestershire, in the opening match of the season, Essex can hardly be full of confidence as they prepare for another scheduled four-day battle.

A big plus is that they will be strengthened by the return of captain Nasser Hussain. After missing the Leicestershire duel because he was on England duty, his presence is bound to add steel to a batting line-up which is badly in need of a boost.

Before the start of the season, Hussain stressed the need for greater determination and a more professional approach.

He will undoubtedly try and get that same message across in his team talk as the county seek to end a run of seven successive Champ-ionship defeats stretching back to the beginning of last August.

Hussain is hoping to have a full strength side from which to choose.

The only doubt is wicket keeper Robert Rollins who pulled a hip muscle during his swashbuckling 87 against Lancashire in Sunday's National League clash.

"I've been having treatment over the last couple of days but will delay a final decision as to whether I will play until in the morning. But I am hopeful of making it," said Rollins.

If he is ruled out, Barry Hyam will deputise as he did for much of last season when Rollins was hit by the injury jinx.

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