REPORT
Essex proved that they chose rightly to bowl after bowling out Durham for 170. The only batsmen that got past twenty were Weston, Carberry and Collingwood. The man who did most of the work for Durham was Weston who made 44 from 71 balls. As for the Essex bowlers they all bowled well but the man that really stood out was ex England international Ronnie Irani who ended with brilliant figures of 5-57. Bichel got three wickets and Darren Gough also got two. Middlebrook was economical as well. Essex now needed 171 to win.
REPORT
Essex cruised to an opening victory in the C & G Trophy with six wickets to spare. They batted sensibly and made sure that they reached the target using as little risk as possible. Jefferson and Cook put on 66 for the opening wicket and from then on the game looked over. Nathan Astle played well for 44 before being caught in the gully and Andy Flower made 25. Bopara and Irani finished the game comfortably. Durham bowled as well as they could have but it just wasn't their day. Vettori, Voges and Brown got a wicket each but Harmison and Plunkett were the most economical.
Essex won the game by six wickets and took the two points from the match. A surprise awaited Andy Bichel after the match. He was somewhat controversially handed the man of the match award for his three wickets when many felt it should have gone to Irani for his five wicket haul. Nonetheless Essex will be pleased with their performance and the win.
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