Paul Grayson enjoyed his most successful day out in the middle for three years as he hit back at his critics during yesterday's Championship clash against Second Division leaders Nottinghamshire at Southchurch Park.
Bats the way to do it - Paul Grayson celebrates his century and (left) on his way to a total of 119 for Essex Picture: LUAN MARSHALL
His 119 was the highlight of an absorbing day of twists and turns which ended with Essex posting a total of 359 for nine, and naturally he was delighted with his contribution.
"I know I was being written off in some quarters so it was nice to prove a few people wrong," said the 33-year-old Yorkshireman.
Grayson was making only his third Championship appearance of the summer following major knee surgery last year.
"There were occasions when I doubted I would ever play first-class cricket again and it's been hard work getting back to this stage," he said.
"So I appreciate moments like this more than most. The knee is fine at present, but I've learned to take nothing for granted. I certainly don't take a place in the side for granted now that I'm fit.
"The truth is that I probably would not have played in this game had Alastair Cook been available -- and I have no quarrel with that.
"He is just one of several talented youngsters coming through the ranks and they need to be encouraged."
Grayson took full advantage of a good pitch and fast outfield to gather 10 fours in a 58-ball half-century and he went on the double his tally of boundaries before putting up a comfortable return catch to occasional offspinner Kevin Pietersen.
Will Jefferson would have probably been celebrating a century with Grayson but for a wretched slice of luck after the stand had yielded 188.
Jefferson had made 75 of those with the help of 15 boundaries when, at the non-striker's end, he moved out of his crease as Grayson straight drove a delivery from legspinner Stuart MacGill.
To his horror the bowler deflected the ball onto the stumps to run out the opener, a dismissal which signalled a collapse.
Grayson soon followed, to be quickly followed by Andy Flower, Aftab Habib and James Foster -the former Zimbabwean skipper being given out caught at cover after the umpires conferred to determine whether the ball had carried to the fielder.
That left Essex 234 for five, but captain Ronnie Irani and James Middlebrook steadied things with a stand of 57 before the latter became an lbw victim of Mark Ealham for 30.
More on Essex County Cricket Club
Published Thursday July 29, 2004
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