Pettini helps keep Essex's run going

8:24am Monday 12th May 2008

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A SCINTILLATING batting performance from Essex captain Mark Pettini helped the side extend their unbeaten start to the Friends Provident Trophy, with a resounding 156-run victory over Surrey.

Records tumbled at the Brit Oval yesterday, with Pettini leading the way, smashing his way to his highest limited overs score of 144 runs in Essex's total of 391-5 from their 50 overs - the team's highest score in one-day cricket.

Pettini shared an opening stand of 269 in 40 overs with Jason Gallian, who also scored a century. The 24-year-old skipper hit 17 fours and two sixes in his 120-ball vigil to put Essex in the driving seat and was ably supported by Gallian, who despite scoring 117 was playing second fiddle.

When Pettini fell, Gallian shortly followed, but a 74-run partnership between James Foster and Ryan ten Doeschate boosted Essex up to a daunting total.

And it proved too much for Surrey, despite the best efforts of Mark Ramprakash (98). But when he was given out leg before off the bowling of David Masters the hosts' hopes faded.

Masters finished with his best one-day figures of 5-17, as he ripped through Surrey's middle order. Graham Napier took three wickets while Andre Nel and ten Doeschate picked up one each, restricting Surrey to just 235 after 38.2 overs.