ANDRE Nel will miss Essex's opening LV County Championship Division Two clash with Northants and Sunday's Friends Provident Trophy trip to Kent.

And the South African could also miss next week's four-day visit to Derbyshire and Friends Provident clash with Sussex at Chelmsford.

The explosive seam bowler had been due to arrive in the country yesterday but his domestic side, Nashua Titans, have qualified for the semi-finals of the Standard Bank Pro20 Series competition.

The semi-final, against the Nashua Cape Cobras, will take place at Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town, on Friday evening.

Should the Titans win, Nel will stay on and play in the final on April 25, meaning the 30-year-old would also miss the county championship match at Derby, which begins on Wednesday, April 23.

Should his side lose, the paceman could be flown straight to the UK to take part in Sunday's match at Canterbury, but is more likely to make his Essex return at Derby.

Explosive paceman Nel was a central figure in the Titans' final group match success over the Lions, scoring 12 not out from just five balls before bowling an economical spell of 2-13 from his four overs.

Meanwhile, Essex have named a 13-man squad for tomorrow's championship opener against Northants at the Ford County Ground.

As well as Nel, England opener Alastair Cook is also unavailable, but other than that the county has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Captain Mark Pettini is expected to go into the match with just one spinner, meaning James Middlebrook or Tim Phillips will make way.

With new signing David Masters assured of his place, ex-England bowler Alex Tudor, newboy Chris Wright and all-rounder Graham Napier are competing for the remaining two spots.

Former Zimbabwe Test star Grant Flower has been left out and is now likely to figure in Saturday's second XI friendly with Norfolk at Bishop's Stortford.

Northants completed their own pre-season preparations by beating local rivals Nottingham-shire in a 50-over match.

Seam bowler David Wigley took four wickets before Riki Wessels (78), captain and Essex winter target David Sales (68) and Ireland World Cup player Niall O'Brien (37 not out) steered the Steelbacks home with five balls to spare.

However, England spinner Monty Panesar will not be available for tomorrow's match at New Writtle Street.

Essex (from): Pettini (capt), Chopra, Gallian, Bopara, Westley, ten Doeschate, Foster (wkt), Middlebrook, Phillips, Tudor, Masters, Wright, Napier.