WORCESTERSHIRE will be hoping for another impressive batting performance when they face Essex in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship division two match at Chelmsford today (11am).

Steve Rhodes' men piled up a huge 618 when they took on Somerset in their last Championship outing, which allow-ed them to force home their advantage with a 10-wicket triumph.

A similar performance with the bat would help Worcestershire gain ground on Essex, who are two places above them in second position.

Both sides have won two, lost two and drawn two from six matches, but Essex are five points higher in the table as they have amassed more batting points.

New Road director of cricket Rhodes has named the same 12 players who took on Somerset for the journey to the south-east.

He said: "We are going to take the same 11 we took to Somerset, plus pace bowler Matt Mason.

"Matt felt he was not quite up to speed after his recent injury problems, but I'm sure he will bounce back.

"Essex are riding high at the moment and they are a good side who are difficult to beat. They've got a good blend of quality youngsters like Ravinder Bopara and Varun Chopra as well some experienced old heads like Darren Gough and Ronnie Irani."

Gough, who has recovered from a hamstring problem, will be playing in his first Championship game since April, while fellow former England paceman Alex Tudor has also been included in Essex's 13-man squad.

However, there is no place for Jahid Ahmed, despite his 4-32 in the one-day win over Sri Lanka last Friday.

Worcestershire: Phil Jaques, Stephen Moore,Graeme Hick, Ben Smith, Vikram Solanki, Steven Davies, Matt Mason, Zaheer Khan, Ray Price, Kabir Ali, Roger Sillence, Gareth Batty.