By Richard Edwards
PAUL Prichard is backing Essex to continue their title tilt – despite the likely absence of Alastair Cook for the majority of the rest of the county’s campaign.
Essex won five County Championship titles during opener Prichard’s time at the club, including the 1992 crown which remains the county’s most recent.
With just six matches of the season remaining, Chris Silverwood’s side find themselves 29 points clear of nearest challengers, Lancashire, after an unbeaten start to the season.
A lot of that has been down to Cook, who has...