By Dave Buxton
September 26 2002

Essex have been drawn to play against their own County Board XI in the 3rd Round of next season's Cheltenham & Gloucster (C&G) Trophy. The match is scheduled to be played on May 7th, 2003 and although not yet confirmed, the match is sure to be played at Chelmsford, with the Board XI having the home advantage having been drawn first.

Apart from the friendly match between the two before the start of the 2002 season (a report can be view here), this will be the first time the 'Amateurs' get to pit their wits against the 'Pros' in a competitive match.

As many will know, the Essex County Board XI is made up of the crop of club cricketers from The Shepherd Neame Essex League and have already played in Round 2 this season to get to next season's 3rd and main round, where the First-Class counties enter.

In Round 1 The Board XI received a bye, but had an excellent win in Round 2 at Chelmsford three Thursday's ago. They beat the Surrey Board XI by 49 runs in the 50-overs-a-side competition, after setting a massive 302-8, this after being 165-6. They were rescued by a 7th wicket stand of 131 between South Woodford's Saad Janjua (who smashed 91) and 17-year-old Loughton player Gazza James (51 not out). In reply, Surrey Board XI made a good fight, but were eventually all out for 253 in 45.5 overs. Loughton's overseas player T. Kazmi took 4-66 (as well as scoring 65 earlier), while Wanstead youngster Tony Palladino took 3-56 in 8.5 overs, but Janjua's heroics earlier won him the Man-Of-the-Match award.

So, an interesting match is in prospect and be sure to turn up and watch the 'Essex amateurs' play the 'Essex pros'.

The winner of the match will go onto to play either Bedfordshire or Warwickshire away in the 4th Round, which will be on May 28th, 2003.

For Essex to get as far as they did this season, the Quarter-Finals, the ties are scheduled for June 10th & 11th, 2003, with the Semi's on August 7th & 9th, 2003 and the Final at Lord's on Saturday August 30th, 2003. With the Benson & Hedges Cup no longer existing, Essex will hope their Cup run in the C&G will be like this season's B&H and end up with another final appearance. We certainly have a chance of revenge against Warwickshire for their defeat of us in the B&H Final to make the Quarters.

So to recap:

C&G Trophy 2003 3rd Round: Essex CB XI vs Essex, Chelmsford, May 7th, 2003
4th Round: Bedfordshire or Warwickshire vs Essex CB XI or Essex, May 28th.
The full draw can be found here.

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Date: 25/9/02

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