Another fine innings from Andy Flower helped Essex to a two run win over Middlesex in the Twenty20 Cup at the County Ground last night.

Flower's 83 was the highest score of the evening and with useful contributions from skipper Ronnie Irani (30) and Paul Grayson (34) Essex posted a total of 175-5.

In reply for Middlesex opener Paul Weekes posted a top score of 35 for the visitors, but his partner Andrew Strauss was not so fortunate as Scott Brant sent the stumps flying with his second delivery of the evening.

Abdul Razzaq, who had finally removed Flower with his bowling, provided a useful knock of 33 for the visitors.

Ed Joyce also helped bolster the Middlesex run chase towards the end with 31.

But ultimately the visitors fell just short.

Needing 12 off the last over, Essex kept the field tight to gain their second win in the competition.

More in today's Evening Gazette and Evening Echo newspapers.

More on Essex County Cricket Club

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2003