ESSEX spinner Tim Phillips admits he’s had a frustrating season in the Championship but says he’s determined to win his place back in the side, starting today against Leicestershire on a turning wicket in Southend.

The 30-year-old is the leading wicket taker in the Twenty20 competition but has struggled in the four-day game.

And that has seen him lose his place in the side to 21-year-old Unicorns loanee Tom Craddock.

Leg-spinner Craddock impressed in Essex’s last Championship outing – a 254-run win in the reverse match against Leicestershire earlier this month – and Phillips admits he will have to work hard to win his place back in the side.

Phillips said: “My form in the four-day game has not been as strong as I would like it to be this season.

“I think I have just lacked a bit of rhythm and consistency.

“And it has been very frustrating because it was a massive year for me in terms of leading the spin attack with Danish Kaneria not being here.

“And now young Tom Craddock has come in and done really well for us, and Tom Westley offers a spin option.

“But we have got matches coming up here at Southend, and then at Colchester, where the grounds do tend to turn for spinners as the games develop.

“So all I can do is keep working hard at my game and hopefully my name will be in the hat for selection.”

Essex have lost their last four Championship games in as many visits to Southend, and coach Paul Grayson said that’s a trend they need to stop.

He said: “We have not got a great record here in recent years, so we want to put that right over these next four days against Leicestershire.

“We played very well against them at Grace Road, and if we can repeat that sort of performance I’m sure there will be a result in the game.

“In that game Maurice Chambers and Tymal Mills were quick, and Tom Craddock bowled his leg spin very well.

“And there were good contributions with the bat with Foster, Godleman and Shah all getting 100s.

“But we need to turn up with the right attitude because if we can get our third straight win in the Championship then it is 20 points a game and that will shoot us right up that table.

“At the moment I’m just hoping our four-day form is clicking at the right time because we made a late surge a couple of years ago to go up, and that is what we want to do now.”

Play at Garon Park today gets underway at midday.

Skipper James Foster has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Essex squad: Bopara, Godleman, Westley, Shah, Mickleburgh, ten Doeschate, Wheater, Masters, Chambers, Mills, Craddock, Napier, Phillips.