ESSEX Cricket Head Coach Chris Silverwood says plans are already in place to launch an assault on Division One following their promotion to the top tier of County Cricket.

After captain Ryan ten Doeschate hit the runs which secured the bonus point needed against Glamorgan on Tuesday, Essex could finally celebrate having taken an unassailable lead in County Championship Division Two.

They will now be taking on the likes of Middlesex, Yorkshire and Somerset and Silverwood said he was already looking forward to the challenge.

“It was great day and we were all emotional,” said Silverwood. “We set our sights on promotion as the players wanted it for the fans and thankfully we have done it.

“But a lot of hard work went into this, from the players to the backroom staff. I am just so pleased their efforts have been rewarded.

“We are already looking forward to next year and we know we need to get better.

“I am already plotting for the future. We have achieved the dream and now we need to win it and we want to show we can do that.”

Silverwood was brought in on a full-time basis last December, having worked under former coach Paul Grayson since 2014 before that.

He was tasked with success on all fronts, with Essex reaching the knock-out rounds of both the T20 Blast and One Day Cup. But he struck gold in the County Championship as Essex secured promotion with a game to spare.

But he was quick to praise the players for their efforts.

“The players have been brilliant,” he said. “When times have been tough someone has found something extra for us.

“Tom Westley and Ryan tem Doeschate have passed 1,000 runs and there could be more. We have two batsmen with 50 wickets and more knocking on the door there as well.

“I want to give a big thank you to the backroom staff as they have given the players the best chance of success.

“We have won so many games by an innings and that is unheard of. We have bowled sides out in a session and got so many big partnerships. The stats speak for themselves and the game plan has worked.

“We are all looking forward to next season.”