ESSEX captain Mark Pettini followed up his century last weekend with a match-winning 80 not out as the Eagles hammered champions Middlesex at Chelmsford on Monday night. Pettini smashed 10 fours and a six with his total coming off just 57 balls, as he fol

ESSEX captain Mark Pettini followed up his century last weekend with a match-winning 80 not out as the Eagles hammered champions Middlesex at Chelmsford on Monday night.

Pettini smashed 10 fours and a six with his total coming off just 57 balls, as he followed up his 101 not out against Kent earlier in the week with some style.

Batting first, the visitors compiled an average score of 148 and with the help of Matt Walker Pettini led Essex home with one over to spare.

The Eagles made a positive start as they reduced Middlesex to 60-5. Danish Kaneria captured two victims, with Graham Napier, Ravi Bopara and a run out also doing the damage.

The visitors made somewhat of a recovery however as Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan put on 60 for the sixth wicket, before Grant Flower dismissed them when they were into their thirties.

This proved to be the major breakthrough with no other batsman making any real contributions.

In reply, Essex started strongly as Pettini and Alastair Cook put on 60 for the first wicket.

After Cook was dismissed in-form Ravi Bopara did not last too long and was snared by Murali Kartik before Walker smashed 34 from24 balls as he and Pettini saw Essex home.