... and triumph!

[undyingking]

We did it! -- with more than 5 overs to spare. From 207-5 when I last posted, to 359-5 to win. The excellent unbroken 6th-wicket partnership of 156 from 105 balls between Mark Pettini and Ryan ten Doeschate saw Essex home in what turned out to be comfort. Ten Doeschate in particular struck the ball brilliantly, scoring 108* off just 59 balls, including 9 4s and 8 6s. (You might remember him batting the Netherlands to victory over England in the World Twenty20 earlier this summer.)

So, back into the first division, after an absence of 6 years. It's going to be an interesting challenge, and to be honest we could easily come straight back down (as happened last time we got promoted). We will need to find a really good overseas player to replace Danish Kaneria, who has been great for us -- but we have a lot of good youngsters coming through as well, so at this stage I will be cautiously optmistic!

Comments

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Mm, we won our last 5 out of 5 Pro40 games, but it all seemed a bit pointless. I heartily wish the counties were going to be abolishing that, rather than the 50-over competition.

Not having seen or heard any coverage of the current tournament, I'm finding it all quite hard to believe. Is it another Shah of the same name? And he, Colly and Morgan all scored heavily in both games, when just a few weeks ago we didn't seem to have a middle order at all. Maybe the altitude has been good for their blood. (I hope we do get Aus in the final, we're on a roll against them!)

[mr-malk.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, we have the momentum from the previous game.

A crucial point, as has been said by so many pundits this summer. And the team's aura too. That helps. I can't remember though, did we have an aura? I think Australia were meant to have lost theirs, but it had probably just fallen down the back of the sofa if you ask me...