By Dave Buxton
March 31 2003

Essex got their first tour win under their belts today with a crushing victory over rivals Lancashire at Belville CC by 7 wickets. Will Jefferson was the star, showing his excellent reputation with a quickfire 101. The win should put Essex through to the triangular tournament final on Wednesday.

Jefferson Ton As Essex Beat Lancashire On Tour

It was a big game for Essex. No wins in three close defeats on tour in South Africa so far and a defeat here would mean the tour was over. However, a win would vertually put Essex through to the final of this mini triangular tournament, which is on Wednesday and extend the trip to one more match.

Essex brought back Justin Bishop, Joe Grant and Tim Phillips (his first start on tour) for the vital match and being against Lancashire, it was a game Essex had every chance of winning.

For the fourth consecutive match, Grayson lost the toss and the county were stuck in the field.

Despite only four wickets being taken, the red rose county could only muster 191-4 from their 45 overs on a good track.

Mal Loye (signed from Northants in the winter) was his usual hard-hitting self with 94 not out, but apart from him, there wasn't a lot else and tight bowling once again, especially from Midders and Larry again, kept the score down to a minimum.

Midders again was outstanding with 9 overs 2-36, with Grayson 9 overs for 33, economical without success.

Justin Bishop, who was surprisingly left out of yesterday's match against Western Province after taking 3 wickets against WP's Academy last Thursday, returned and bowled excellently, with 9 overs 1-36, while Joe Grant was the other wicket-taker, with 9 overs, 1 maiden, 1-45. Jon Dakin bowled well without getting on the wicket list, although bowled 3 maidens in his 9 overs for 40. Tim Phillips in his first outing of the trip, did not get a bowl.

So, with 192 needed for victory, Essex set about this with the same way as so many victories in chasing targets last season. The previous three matches had seen 3 or 4 eraly wickets fall, but not today, as Jeffers and Robbo got the side off to a flyer, that effectively won the match.

Will Jefferson has scored just 30 runs in 4 innings on tour before this game, but belied the fact he was out of form with a fine 101. The highlight was hitting former England seamer Peter Martin for 20 in one over and this hitting was the type seen throughout this knock.

Darren Robinson played second fiddle for once with 27 and there was another disappointment for Andy Flower with just 2 today after 4 yesterday.

James Foster was used as just a batsman today (Flower kept wicket) and kept up his fine batting form with 42 not out and saw things through with Jeffers firstly and then Aftab Habib (9 not out) and a comprehensive win by 7 wickets and from only 38.2 of the allotted 45 were used.

So, a fantastic win and one that we're used to at Chelmsford. Great to see Jeffers show why he's so highly rated with a brilliant ton and to see Fossy and Midders continue their fine form. This win has been coming, with 3 narrow defeats and it happened to be rivals Lancashire on the recieving end.

This win should put Essex through to the final. If Western Province beat Lancashire in the final group match tomorrow, then that is certain. Even if the Old Trafford outfit were to pull off a surprise shock, it'd have to be by some margin, because all 3 teams would be level on points and Essex and WP have excellent run-rates after their matches played already and this will determine the final if all teams are level on points.

The final is on Wednesday at Newlands in Cape Town.

LANCASHIRE INNS: 191-4 (45 Ovs) -

Grant	.........	9-1-45-1
Dakin	.........	9-3-40-0
Bishop	.........	9-0-36-1
Middlebrook	.........	9-0-36-2
Grayson	.........	9-0-33-0

ESSEX INNS: 194-3 (38.2 Ovs) -

W.I. Jefferson	.........	101
D.D.J. Robinson	.........	27
+ A. Flower	.........	2
J.S. Foster	.........	42 Not Out
A. Habib	.........	9 Not Out
Did-Not-Bat:	* A.P. Grayson, J.M. Dakin, J.D. Middlebrook,
	J.E. Bishop, T.J. Phillips, J.B. Grant

RESULT: ESSEX WON BY 7 WICKETS

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Date: 31/3/03

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