Harbhajan Singh will feature for Essex. Picture: Anthony Devlin/PA

EXCLUSIVE: Essex and India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was a happy man after picking up his first wicket for the county.

The 32-year-old had Hampshire’s Danny Briggs caught by Greg Smith and despite having over 400 Test wickets, Harbhajan still was glad to break his duck for his county.

“It’s nice to get your first wicket to start with and hopefully there will be plenty more to follow,” he told London24.

“It’s always nice to get your first early, no matter what team you are playing for.

“I am new to Essex’s setup so it’s nice to grab my first here.

“Hopefully more will follow.”

The wicket meant that Hampshire had been bowled out for 323 but Essex captain Mark Pettini decided to set up a game and declared with his side on 18-0.

Hampshire returned the favour and Jimmy Adams set Essex a target of 360.

Billy Godleman and Pettini were there at the close with the Chelmsford based county needing a further 258 for victory and Harbhajan is confident his side can make it.

“We stand a very good chance,” the spinner added. “We need 258 runs today, which we are capable of making and it will be a good day for us hopefully.

“We need to bat well and stick to the basics I’m sure we’ll get those 250 odd runs tomorrow.”