By Martin Gough

Essex began last season hoping to build on the form that had seen them promoted as Division Two winners the previous year.

Cook, Bopara and Pettini are an impressive young trio

They begin this term having to do it all again in the four-day game, losing a late battle to avoid the relegation zone in the bottom three.

But veteran Andy Flower believes they have the right mix of youth and experience to yo-yo back into the top tier.

The former Zimbabwe captain agrees to talk to BBC Sport on two conditions.

First, he refuses to discuss the situation in his native country, where England must tour or face a huge financial penalty and where players are threatening to quit over a controversial selection policy.

Second, he wants to sit out on the Lord's balcony, with temperatures in single figures, so he can keep a close eye on the young MCC team he is captaining in the traditional season-opener.

We didn't have a good start so we must kick-off well and set the season off on the right note this time Andy Flower

Flower, 36 later this week, takes a keen interest in the youngsters on show, and is enthusiastic about the potential of a battery of Essex batsmen, all under the age of 21.

"Alastair Cook is very well-organised, clear-thinking opener with a very simple technique," he says of the England Under-19 captain.

"Ravinder Bopara has got as much talent as any young batsman I've seen but it is up to him how far he goes.

"And Mark Pettini has played for England Under-19, is a good right-hander and is pushing hard for a spot."

Add in Flower and former England one-day players Ronnie Irani and Paul Grayson and Graham Gooch's squad has an impressive top-order.

Flower was disappointed with his contribution last season

However, Flower feels batting failures, rather than the absence of a leading strike bowler, were to blame for last season's disappointments.

"Very simply, the batsmen did not do a good enough job. We didn't score first innings run to give our bowlers something to bowl at," he says.

Flower is full of praise for Graham Napier, who has matured after a winter with the England Academy.

Napier's all-round ability could be vital as none of the top six bowl at the moment.

To bolster the attack, Essex completed two of the most exciting off-season signings in Yorkshireman Darren Gough and Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

"I've played against Kaneria in one-day internationals and he seems like a top quality leg-spinner. I think he's going to have a strong effect on games," says Flower.

"We've seen top-class spinners have a strong effect on the Championship - Mushtaq Ahmed last season, and Saqlain Mushtaq at Surrey over the years."

ESSEX 2004 Coach: Graham Gooch Captain: Ronnie Irani Overseas players: Scott Brant, Danish Kaneria Players in: Danish Kaneria, Darren Gough Players out: Darren Robinson, Nick Denning, Joseph Grant, Andrew McGarry, Barry Hyam, Jon Dakin

Gough may not play every match because of the knee problem that saw him retire from Test cricket last year, but Flower still expects him to make an impact.

"Gough is a top-quality fast bowler and also a really positive influence on people, in the changing room and on the field," he says.

"I hope he plays some Championship games but I don't think anyone is banking on him playing all of them."

With new names blended with young talent and veteran grit, Flower believes Essex are good enough for a place in the top three, if not to win the division.

Of last year's third place in the National League he says: "We got on a bit of a roll in the one-dayers, especially towards the end of the season.

"But we didn't have a good start so we must kick-off well and set the season off on the right note this time."

He assesses his own record brutally, saying: "Last season I was disappointed with my contribution and I'm not going to let that happen again."

Last year he made 1153 Championship runs at an average of 46.12. His rivals have been warned.