HEAD coach Kevin Sharp has revealed the determination of the Worcestershire players “to put on a performance for the members” after the disappointing showing in the previous home game against Nottinghamshire.

They take on reigning champions Essex in Specsavers County Championship Division One at Blackfinch New Road from Friday (11am).

Confidence was restored via the high-scoring draw with Surrey at the Kia Oval with bowlers and batsman all performing with great credit after the innings setback against Notts in just five sessions of play.

Sharp says the squad were “hurt” by the manner of that reversal as they tackle an Essex side beaten in their previous game by Yorkshire despite bowling them out for 50 in the first innings at Chelmsford.

He said: “Following the Notts game the lads really want to put on a performance for the members here.

“They were disappointed with themselves against Notts and really hurting because they know they are capable of much better.

“I know there were one or two disgruntled people around who were watching.

“But I’m hoping they enjoyed what they saw at The Oval and the lads really want to show them what they can do.

“I have a sense we are getting nearer and nearer now to what we want to be.

“We’ve got Essex, the county champions here, but they are on the back of a defeat in a quite remarkable-looking game.

“They won’t be happy with that for sure, to bowl a team out for 50 and then lose the game, so we might just catch them on the hop a bit.”

Sharp says he and skipper Joe Leach will have a welcome selection headache with the return to full fitness of paceman Steve Magoffin.

He has missed the last two games after suffering a hamstring strain against Somerset at Taunton and his replacement Charlie Morris showed encouraging signs in his first senior appearances since 2016.

Sharp said: “Charlie has bowled really well. His line and lengths have been impeccable and I was pleased for him to pick up the wickets he did “We’ve got Steve back fit now and we’ve got to decide what we are going to do.

“Because of the weather last week we weren’t able to get the overs into Mags that we needed to get into him to prove his fitness and it was always going to be too much of a gamble to go into a four-day game at The Oval like that, not fully 100 per cent sure.

“It was precautionary but he is fit now so we have got a selection issue which is nice to have.”

Sharp has been delighted with the contribution made already by the Australian paceman since he returned to the County.

He added: “Mags is a top man, an experienced pro, very sound and solid, who contributes both on and off the field and has got good knowledge.

“He is just great to have around and we’ve got lots of young seamers at the club who come to him for advice.”

Worcestershire from: Mitchell, D’Oliveira, Fell, Clarke, Head, Cox, Barnard, Leach, Twohig, Morris, Tongue, Magoffin.