Paul Grayson today shrugged off the disappointment of back-to-back defeats and said Essex were determined to put things right.

The county's vice-skipper was reflecting on his side's Twenty20 Cup defeat to Surrey on Saturday and the National League division one loss to Warwickshire yesterday.

Grayson told the Evening Gazette: "We had a little chat in the dressing room after yesterday's game and we are all determined to start getting things right.

"We agreed that we need to work on a few aspects of our game.

"We need to start forming a few good batting partnerships.

"At the moment, we don't seem able to build a good score and our bowling also needs to improve.

"It's not nice to lose two on the bounce but I'm confident we'll be OK."

Essex fell to a 44-run defeat to Surrey in the Twenty20 Cup game a match Grayson was happy to take part in, despite the defeat.

"It was a really good experience," he said.

Grayson was, however, not as glowing in his assessment of yesterday's game.

Essex were taken apart by all-rounder Ian Bell, who struck a 109-ball 125 before returning bowling figures of five for 41.

"We just didn't play very well at all," said Grayson.

Published Monday, June 16, 2003

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