Derek Pringle takes a look at how his former county have turned to overseas influences in a bid to land back-to-back titles this summer

In the best tradition of getting your blows in first, Essex are preparing to defend last season’s Championship title with the aggressive strategy of signing bowlers – with Neil Wagner following Peter Siddle to Chelmsford to supplement the twin threats of Jamie Porter and spinner Simon Harmer.
It looks counter-intuitive especially as, Alastair Cook apart, Essex’s batting rarely punched anywhere near its weight last year. Indeed, it seems...