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Cricket

Pettini praises team effort in Lord's final

17/08/2008

Essex captain Mark Pettini praised his team's performance as a group following their five wicket win over Kent in the Friend's Provident Trophy final at Lord's.

Having lost the toss and being asked to bowl Essex managed to restrict the explosive Kent batting line up to just 214 all out in the first innings.

The Essex bowlers shared the wickets between them, with Ravi Bopara, Danesh Kaneria, Chris Wright and David Masters all taking two wickets, while Graham Napier got one.

Martin van Jaarsveld always looked dangerous for Kent but Pettini was pleased with the way his bowlers responded.

He said: "That was the epitome of a team performance today.

"My team were absolutely fantastic today. We knew Kent would come hard at us, and the guys rose to the challenge really well."

In the run chase Essex's batsmen were fairly comfortable with Jason Gallian making 28 and Alastair Cook 33, but it was Grant Flower's unbeaten 70 that saw them home.

Ryan ten Doeschate also chipped in with 30 off 29 balls at the end of the innings but Pettini said the hard work was done at the start of the day.

He added: "Grant Flower stood out in the run chase, but the rest of the day was all down to the fight from the team."

"Kent were obviously still in the game and bowled really well. But the guys put together a great run chase."

Essex currently lead the second division of the one-day league and could make it a double trophy season if their success in that competition continues.