Derek Pringle explains how the Championship leaders have become genuine title contenders

It is 25 years since Essex sat atop the County Championship table surveying the rest of the field and I reckon that they are enjoying the view.
Freshly promoted this season, Ryan ten Doeschate’s team are playing with verve and determination, giving lie to the old saw that there is a skills gap the size of Wales between the first and second divisions.
The season still has a long way to run (another seven matches for most counties), so this piece, from an old Essex player, could ...