Queensland team-mates will meet head on when Essex cricketers launch their new Championship season against reigning county kings Leicestershire.

State-mates and Test team buddies Stuart Law and Michael Kasprowicz - both overlooked by Australia's World Cup selectors - will be out to prove a point when they and their adopted counties clash at The County Ground, Chelmsford, in four-day action, starting on Tuesday, April 13.

Run-machine Law will once again be spearheading the Essex batting line-up, while paceman Kasprowicz - a former Essex overseas star himself - will be opening the Leicester bowling attack.

"It all gives the match added spice," said Essex secretary-manager Peter Edwards as he looked forward to the season's big opening day.

"My initial thoughts were the game was fixtured far too early in the season, but the prospect of Kasprowicz bowling to Stuart Law, his Queensland State captain, should whet our fans' appetites."

Law arrives back in Chelmford next Thursday.

The Championship clash with Leicester is only one of a number of early season attractions for the Essex fans at the Chelmsford.

New Essex captain Nasser Hussain will be fielding strong line-ups for two World Cup warm-up games against Bangladesh and England which go ahead respectively on Saturday, May 8, and Sunday, May 9.

Edwards said: "There is a lot of exciting cricket in prospect, but neither game is fully sold out yet.

"Although members can get in to watch on their card, there are several hundred tickets left at great prices for the public side of the ground.

"Anybody wishing to watch both games can take advantage of a £24 combined price for adults, £12 concessions, or seperately at £16 (adults), £8 (concessions).

"I would expect both England and Bangladesh to play their strongest teams as these are their last games before the World Cup itself."

The season gets under way this Saturday with a one-day friendly against Middlesex, followed by two more friendlies against Durham next Monday and Tuesday. Admission is free to everyone.

There is also April Championship action against Warwickshire, while Essex launch their new National League programme against Lancashire Lightning on Sunday, April 25.

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