ESSEX cricketers were kicking themselves into shape at Ipswich Town yesterday.They came back for pre-season training this week and spent a day getting in trim at the Blues' training ground at Playford Road.

Elvin King

ESSEX cricketers were kicking themselves into shape at Ipswich Town yesterday.

They came back for pre-season training this week and spent a day getting in trim at the Blues' training ground at Playford Road.

First team coach Paul Grayson was missing from the group as he was attending a coaches' seminar in Birmingham, but he confirmed today the success of his club's visit to Suffolk.

“All my players have their own football boots and love playing the winter game,” said Grayson, whose brother Simon is manager of Blackpool.

“They had a kick-about with Ipswich reserve and academy players as the first team squad were away.

“My lads also used the fitness facilities in Ipswich and generally had a great day there.”

Essex had made it a tradition to spend a day with Ipswich Town since it was first organised between former England opening batsman Graham Gooch and Blues chairman David Sheepshanks.

The Essex team are off to Dubai on Sunday where they will have some sun on their backs and play pre-season games as the Ireland national side plus Lancashire, Sussex and Somerset will also be in the middle eastern country.

“Our first week back is not spent in the nets,” added Grayson. “We will do that next week.

“We have done some mountain biking and paint balling so far.”