Essex hopes of launching their Twenty20 Cup campaign on a winning note were swept aside by an impressive Surrey outfit at East Molesey.

They were trounced by 44 runs and never once threatened to get anywhere near their opponents 182-9.

And once again it was the dynamic duo of Graham Thorpe and Azhar Mahmood who played the major roles in condemning them to defeat.

Just over a week ago Thorpe scored an unbeaten 79 after the Pakistani had captured six wickets to set up a triumph in the National League.

On Saturday, Thorpe struck another half-century before Mahmood smashed 43 from 18 balls and followed it up with 4-20 to confirm his credentials as a top-class all-rounder.

The only crumb of comfort for Essex, who were bowled out for 138, was the debut of new signing Ryan ten Doeschate, who was born in South Africa but is of Dutch descent and qualifies to play in English cricket as a European citizen.

Ten Doeschate, a 22-year-old all-rounder, accepted an invitation to join the county after he impressed head coach Graham Gooch during Essex's pre-season visit to South Africa.

He showed he has plenty of promise by turning in the best bowling performance against Surrey's star-studded line-up.

He conceded 27 runs in his four overs of medium-paced deliveries and picked up the wickets of Mark Ramprakash and Jonathan Batty. For good measure he also took a superb catch.

Essex were soon in disarray and behind the clock when they responded, Will Jefferson and James Foster both back in the pavilion with the innings only 13 deliveries old.

Andy Flower (30), Ronnie Irani (26) and Mark Pettini (31) tried their utmost to get the county back into the game, but the accuracy of the Surrey bowlers, particularly Mahmood, never allowed them to launch a meaningful challenge or prevent the home side from recording their fourth victory over Essex in all competitions this summer.

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Published Monday, June 16, 2003

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