Who is the captain?

Mark Pettini

Who are the overseas players?

Andre Nel, the South Africa fast bowler, until May 18, then Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan leg spinner returns after a family commitment

Who has arrived?

Chris Wright (Middlesex), David Masters (Leicestershire), Jason Gallian (Nottinghamshire)

Who has left?

Darren Thomas and Ronnie Irani (both retired), Andy Bichel (overseas), Andrew McGarry (released)

What has the IPL/ICL done to them?

Little apart from restricting the choice of overseas players

What is their nickname?

Eagles

How did they fare last season?

LV County Championship: 4th, second division; NatWest Pro40: 9th, first division: Friends Provident Trophy: semi-final; Twenty20 Cup: 4th, South group. 2007 was a largely unexceptional season in which Essex missed out on championship promotion by ten points and were relegated from Pro40 division one, having won it the previous two years

What are their prospects?

So much depends on who is available. Promotion in both leagues is a possibility. They will be more of a threat in one-day competitions

What are their strengths?

Kaneria was the fourth-highest wicket-taker in first-class cricket last season and will again be Essex's main bowling weapon, Varun Chopra could be a future England opening batsman and is a superb slip fielder, while much is expected from Tom Westley, the England Under-19 all-rounder

What are their weaknesses?

Their bowlers rarely stay fit: Maurice Chambers, Mervyn Westfield and Tony Palladino all have potential, while Alex Tudor has already proved himself, yet they played few matches last season. Batting looks skimpy when Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara are away

One to watch

Ryan ten Doeschate (above). The Dutchman has a batting average of 56 and a bowling average of 22 in his 17 one-day internationals, averages 53 with the bat in first-class cricket and was the 2007 ICC associate player of the year. Great fielder, too