ESSEX coach Paul Grayson has challenged his opening batsmen to come through their slump – starting tonight against Somerset at the Country Ground.

The visitors start the game in second in the southern Twenty20 table and boast the form player in the country in Marcus Trescothick.

The Eagles come into the game on the back of a demoralising defeat against Surrey at the Kia Oval on Monday.

The TV cameras were there to see the hosts ease to a 43-run victory.

Essex opened with England internationals Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah, but Shah was dismissed for a duck off the second ball of the innings, and Bopara followed soon after when he was trapped lbw for nine.

The result saw Surrey move above Essex and into the fourth and final knock-out qualifying place in their group.

Grayson said: “It was a very disappointing performance against Surrey.

“At the halfway stage we were very confident we could go on and win the game and we were happy to chase down their score.

“Unfortunately we are not batting well as a group and are not reacting enough under pressure.

“We need to do better up front with the bat and get some more solid starts and then kick on from there. That’s the important phase at the moment.

He added: “Somerset are a very good one-day side and we’ve had some good battles with them over the last few years.

“So we are looking forward to the game, but we know we’ll need to be on top form to get a result.

“Hopefully, back in front of our Chelmsford crowd and with their loud and great support behind us, the team can respond positively after Monday’s defeat.”

Graham Napier has been ruled out with the hamstring injury he picked up against Surrey, so Maurice Chambers has been drafted into the 13-man squad. The game starts at 7pm and there are still tickets available in advance and on the gates.

Essex squad: Bopara, Shah, Walker, ten Doeschate, Styris, Foster, Wheater, Phillips, Southee, Wright, Masters, Pettini, Chambers.