when was the club formed?
In 1876.
Essex County Cricket Club
 Founded in 1876, the club had minor county status until 1894 when it was promoted to first-class status pending its entry into the County Championship in 1895, since then the team has played in every top-level domestic cricket competition in England. 
was cricketer ian johnson a bowler or a batsman? A slow off-break bowler. when did he make his international debut? In the 1935–36 season . was he a part of any historic team? Yes, Bradman's 'Invincibles". which matches did he play with that team? He played against Leicestershire, Surrey, and Essex. which tour was that? The English Tour in 1948. which cricket teams are there in the third place mentioned above? The Essex County Cricket Club.
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Essex County Cricket Club [SEP] Introduction
Essex County Cricket Club is one of eighteen first-class county clubs within the domestic cricket structure of England and Wales. It represents the historic county of Essex. Founded in 1876, the club had minor county status until 1894 when it was promoted to first-class status pending its entry into the County Championship in 1895, since then the team has played in every top-level domestic cricket competition in England. Essex play most of their home games at the County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford and some at Lower Castle Park in Colchester. The club has formerly used other venues throughout the county including Valentines Park in Ilford, Leyton Cricket Ground, the Gidea Park Sports Ground in Romford, and Garon Park and Southchurch Park, both in Southend.