JAMES Pipe is in line to make his County Championship debut for table-topping Worcestershire in the division two match against Essex which opens at Chelmsford tomorrow.

The County plan to parade the 22-year-old reserve wicketkeeper as a batsman following impressive performances for the New Road second string and Kidderminster in the Birmingham League Premier Division.

His only first team appearance for Worcestershire so far this season was in the one-day match against New Zealand 'A' last month when he scored 56.

Making way for him is 17-year-old rookie batsman Kadeer Ali who has had a torrid time in the last three Championship matches. In six innings he made just ten runs and was dismissed for a 'duck' on four occasions.

New Road coach Bill Athey said today: "He's only a young fellow and he's not got runs, but he gained a hell of a lot of experience. We're convinced he'll score thousands of runs in his career for Worcestershire."

Kadeer will play for Worcestershire in their Second Eleven Championship match against Essex which starts at New Road tomorrow along with paceman Alamgir Sheriyar who will be bidding to return to form in an effort to regain his first team spot.

Worcestershire, who are two points clear of second-in-the-table Warwickshire, have named a 12-man squad which includes spinner Richard Illingworth, who missed his side's last two Championship matches because of a thigh injury.

Illingworth played in the County's three-wicket defeat in the Norwich Union National League Division One against bitter rivals Gloucestershire at Cheltenham last Sunday.

Worcestershire, again without Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki because of England duties, will be aiming to get back on the winning trail in the Championship after two defeats and two draws in their last four outings.

Worcs (from): Weston, Wilson, Pollard, Leatherdale, Driver, Pipe, Rhodes, Lampitt, Rawnsley, Kabir Ali, McGrath, Illingworth.