ESSEX first-team coach Paul Grayson has praised veteran batsman Jason Gallian's impact since joining the county.

The 36-year-old was drafted in from Nottinghamshire, where he won the County Championship in 2005, to provide stability at the top of the batting order.

And the former England player responded by hitting a fine 171 in his first championship innings as Essex thrashed Northants by nine wickets at the Ford County Ground.

Gallian was also part of the side that beat Kent in Sunday's Friends Provident Trophy victory at Canterbury, and Grayson was quick to recognise the positive influence of the Australian-born star.

"We identified that we wanted to strengthen our squad with an experienced opener for this season so when Jason became available we knew he was the right man to come to this club," said Grayson, who faced Gallian when the pair were at Yorkshire and Lancashire respectively in August 1994.

"He has fitted in very well and offers a lot with his experience. He couldn't have dreamt of a better start and long may it continue.

"Jason's keen to score runs and win trophies with Essex so we hope this is the start of things to come.

"With Ravi Bopara in excellent form and Mark Pettini showing what a good player he is after last season's blip our batting is looking in fine fettle."

Grayson was also impressed with Essex's bowling and fielding too as his charges romped to two comfortable victories to open the 2008 season.

"Confidence and morale is high at the moment," he admitted.

"We were outstanding against Northants and top-drawer against Kent. I couldn't have asked for more with the way we've started.

"We have good players in good form.

"I mentioned before the season started that we are a fitter squad than we've ever been but we've also improved our skill levels too and that was evident over the first week.

"We've played some smart cricket and have looked good technically. A high standard has been set and the test now is to repeat it."

Following his good start, things dipped for Gallian in the four wicket defeat to Derbyshire as he hit four in the first innings. But he hit 64 in the second.