Essex cruise past winning post

9:29am Thursday 17th July 2008

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Essex recorded yet another impressive limited-overs performance when they launched their Pro40 campaign with a five-wicket victory over Yorkshire at Chelmsford.

Chasing only 158 to win, the home side cruised to victory with seven overs to spare after skipper Mark Pettini led the successful run-chase with a half-century, ably supported by Graham Napier.

The latter entertained the fans with a powerful knock, rattling up 46 from 34 balls with 34 in boundaries, including a six off Rana Naved as he put on 63 in 11 overs with Pettini, to ensure the home side retained the initiative after Jason Gallian had been caught behind for seven with 23 on the board.

Napier did offer a chance when he had scored 14, lofting Naved high to mid-off but Darren Gough never appeared likely to take the opportunity, allowing the batsman to contribute another meaningful knock.

Gough was later forced out of the attack after injuring a knee, making it another miserable return to his former home ground following the Tykes' heavy defeat in the Friends Provident Trophy a couple of weeks ago.

In search of his ninth boundary, Napier holed out to long-off, allowing Ravi Bopara to accompany his captain in a 40-run partnership but the loss of three wickets in four overs temporarily halted the victory march.

Bopara fell for 16 when he stepped out to drive leg spinner Adil Rashid.

Then spinner David Wainwright trapped Pettini for 57 with a delivery that straightened and James Foster (9) steered the ball into the hands of second slip.

However, Ryan ten Doeschate soon settled the issue, clubbing Wainwright over the ropes to finish on 11 not out with Grant Flower on ten not out.

A half-century by pinch-hitter Naved and a last-wicket partnership of 44 prevented Yorkshire from recording an ignominious total in an innings that saw only three batsmen reach double figures.

Gough and David Wainwright gave the visitors some semblance of respectability when they came together with their side reeling on 113 for nine in the 25th over that offered some support to Naved's gallant effort.

Both openers had been dismissed with the total on four as David Masters and Napier struck in the first couple of overs but, when Naved was joined by Anthony McGrath, the Tykes demeanour took on a different attitude.

McGrath gave notice of his intentions, getting off the mark with a boundary, and then took three successive fours off a Napier over.

Naved took his cue and struck Masters for six followed by a trio of consecutive fours as 30 runs were gathered from nine balls.

However, McGrath chipped Napier to Gallian at short mid-wicket, leaving Naved to hold the innings together and bat with necessary vigilance as a series of partners arrived and departed with haste before he was finally undone by Danish Kaneria, who took a fine return catch to end the batsman's 64-ball innings worth 57 runs.