WESTLEY COULD C-ASH IN

TOM WESTLEY could book his Ashes place by helping Essex clinch the County Championship at Edgbaston.

A third ton in the Championship to go with his earlyseason exploits would be some compensation for a disappointing series against the West Indies.

Essex have a 36-point lead and need Lancashire to slip up against Somerset to seal their first title for 25 years with two rounds to spare. They have Westley (left), skipper Ryan ten Doeschate and paceman Neil Wagner back, although Alastair Cook is injured. Head coach Chris Silverwood said: “Tom scored some big runs. It’s very exciting to have him back.”