CHRIS Silverwood has declared himself “very pleased” as Essex cranked up their winter training schedule ahead of the new season, although he admits he is on the look-out for another fast bowler.

The recently-appointed head coach has now been in the role five weeks, having succeeded Paul Grayson, and has been working with the players who do not have international commitments in the run up to the club’s upcoming pre-season tour.

The Yorkshireman says he is pleased with the strength in the batting line-up, but feels he requires another bowler, despite adding Ashar Zaidi and seamer Matt Quinn to the ranks already this winter.

“We could do with another seam bowler,” said Silverwood, 40. “If the right opportunity presented itself then we would look at it, but it is a seam bowler we want really.

“It is going really well and I am very pleased. The players who are not away on international duty have been training indoors and the conditioning is going very well.

“The work with bat and ball has been promising and we have been cranking up the intensity of the bowling training recently. There is a lot of competition and the players are enjoying that.

“We are all excited about the challenges ahead and about the lads coming back to link up with the team as well.”

Essex are still in the market for an assistant and batting coach, with applications closing last week, and Silverwood said a decision on the candidates will be made shortly.