[1] Having previously played with the minor county Hertfordshire, Ilott began his career with Essex in 1988.

Ilott was part of a four-man contingent from Essex in the side at this point, alongside Graham Gooch, Nasser Hussain and Peter Such.

Although all England bowlers struggled at this time, none but Such taking more than his eight wickets in the series,[3] Ilott was subsequently left out of the side.

In 1997 he helped Essex to win the NatWest Trophy, although he was involved in what ESPNCricinfo calls "an unsavoury, but in truth pretty harmless, pushing and finger-wagging incident with Robert Croft" during the semi-final against Glamorgan.

[1] He also helped Essex to win the 1998 Benson & Hedges Cup, Ilott taking 3/10 in 8 overs in the final against Leicestershire.