Essex start search for Thakur replacement

Shardul Thakur has played 11 Tests and 72 white-ball games for India

Essex director of cricket Chris Silverwood says they are actively seeking a replacement for Shardul Thakur after the India pace bowler pulled out of a deal to join the club.

The 33-year-old will instead play in the Indian Premier League, having been named as an injury replacement by Lucknow Super Giants.

He was due to be with Essex throughout April and May for their first seven County Championship Division One games.

"It will be difficult to replace somebody of his calibre - we were all very excited to get him here into an Essex shirt - but it's the nature of the beast in modern-day cricket with so many competitions going on around the world," Silverwood told BBC Essex Sport.

"We knew that something could happen. We're obviously disappointed but it's back to the drawing board and look for plan B. It may mean doing things slightly differently - but that's exciting as well."

Essex still have three quality seam bowlers, with the prolific Jamie Porter and Sam Cook, backed up by Shane Snater, plus the most successful spinner in county cricket in recent years, Simon Harmer.

Former England and Sri Lanka head coach Silverwood believes the right blend of experience and youth will enable them to challenge this year, having guided them to the title during his first spell in charge in 2017.

Essex won it again in 2019, but their last success was in the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy.

Despite that, Silverwood said: "I don't see us being under pressure at all. For me, it's just about going out there and performing to our best, making sure we do everything we can do to perform on the field and make sure we're consistent in doing that.

"I see that as more of a positive than a negative and that's what I'll be trying to drive home."

He added: "The last few years, we've been pushing and not quite got there but if we look at the years previous to that, we've got guys in there that have tasted a lot of success and know what it takes to win.

"If they can show the youngsters how to do that, it puts us in a great position moving forwards. I think we do have a lovely blend in there."

Essex start the season on 4 April with a home game against Surrey, champions for the last three seasons.