Jeremy Snape's return from the Indian Premier League has been delayed due to his success with Rajasthan Royals – surely more appealing than a trip with his Leicester charges to Chelmsford, described in the Observer recently as a ground 'where you cannot even get a coffee for love or loose change'. Essex's PR team have launched a 'Coffeegate' counter-offensive, insisting that the only thing missing is 'a maid service on-hand'. Stronger stuff may be needed here since both these sides have started their four-day campaigns brightly. Leicester suffered a dire 2007 but their response – signing five Kolpak players – seems unduly short-sighted. Essex have opted to invest in local talent, with young bowlers Tony Palladino and Maurice Chambers hoping for an injury-free campaign. Anything's got to be better than sitting in the pavilion drinking cappucinos… Andrew Shields
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