BRAINTREE Cricket Club captain Will Jackson is calling for their big players to step up and get them out of trouble in the second half of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship season.

A trip to Elmstead on Saturday will bring the curtain down on a tough opening half of the division one campaign for Braintree.

Following a disappointing 11-run home defeat by Mistley last weekend, Braintree are back at the foot of the table, but Jackson knows his team have been strong in the second half of the last few seasons and hopes the same rings true this year.

He said: “This year has been tough in the first half as we haven’t been blessed with good luck in terms of injuries and players being available, but hopefully it will come good for us in the second half again.

“Last season we came good in the second half and we have to do that again.

“We are still in it and we are not down and out.

“We are in the mix still, but we do need players to take some more responsibility.

“The senior and big players in the team need to step up in the second half and make sure they are contributing every week.

“In the wins we have had, they have all been on the back of team performances.

“There haven’t been many times when it’s been individual brilliance that has got us the win, it’s all been from team efforts, but we need people to step up now and make sure they are are the hero that gets the win for us.”

Jackson said that wasn’t the case last weekend as his team fell to a rare defeat on home turf.

It started well as they skittled fellow strugglers Mistley out for an under-par 208, but the response was “unforgivable” according to Jackson.

He added: “To restrict them to 208 on our ground was good as we bowled and fielded well and to then not chase it down was unforgivable really.

“We were in the box seat at 100 for one, but we just threw it away and that’s very disappointing.

“There was a mix of bad shots and silly run outs and I think the scoreboard pressure got to us.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re experienced or not, we knew that with Mistley just above in the table how important a game it was and I think the pressure got to us.

“It just didn’t click.

“However, we still took a fair few points from the game and we are still very much in the league as there are a number at the bottom who are all very tightly together.”

Braintree will look to bounce back when they head to second-placed Elmstead on Saturday.

They will be looking for their first win on the road this season, but Jackson is anticipating a depleted side to be taken.

He said: “Elmstead have done well after getting promoted last year and they have an ex-Braintree player - Ryan Vickery - in their team, so it should be interesting, but anyone can beat anyone in this league.

“We will be depleted as we expect Rory Ainsley, Josh Newman, Warren Celiz, Barry Stephens and Gareth Fisher to all be out, but it will give a chance for some of the younger players to be blooded again.

“Matt Hollingsworth did well against Mistley and Lee Fullgrabbe has done well when he has come in this year, so I’d expect both to come in again this weekend.”