Cook in form for Ashes - Grayson

Cook has hit five half centuries for Essex this season

Essex coach Paul Grayson says England Test batsman Alastair Cook is in good form ahead of the Ashes series.

Cook scored an unbeaten 84 as Essex salvaged a draw against Middlesex in the County Championship on Tuesday.

Grayson told BBC Essex: "He looks really good. I'm really pleased with the way he's playing and he's very confident at the moment.

"He's going to go to the Ashes series in good form and he's going to need that this summer."

Cook is available for Essex until the end of June, so can play in the County Championship match at Kent and the remaining matches in the group stage of the Twenty20 Cup.

Essex will also have Ryan Ten Doeschate back with the squad for those games as he's no longer involved with the World Twenty20.

In addition, John Maunders and Jaik Mickleburgh will return from injury for the university match at Cambridge, which starts on Thursday.

Grayson added: "John's not played at all this season and Jaik's an exciting young player. That will raise a bit of competition for places for the Kent game next week."

Despite just one win in the their opening five County Championship matches, Grayson is remaining upbeat.

"We've still got 11 County Championship matches to go. It's not all doom and gloom, there's still a chance of promotion."