Essex captain Nasser Hussain was naturally delighted with the team's performance against Warwickshire.

He said "They all worked hard during the winter and had nothing to show for it until today. They deserve the success.

''We shouldn't get giddy about the win, but it is a start. We've not won many championship games in the last season or so and to go and beat a top side like Warwickshire was excellent."

Praising the all-round performance of his team, Hussain singled out a number for individual mention, commenting: "All the bowlers on the last day, Mark Ilott, Ashley Cowan and Ronnie Irani, were all focussed and were just brilliant.

''They had a plan and stuck to it and bowled brilliantly. Mark Ilott was outstanding for us.

''To bowl for two hours into the wind was a terrific effort and it shows that all the work he did in the winter has paid off. When we batted on Thursday, people like Irani, Paul Grayson and Barry Hyam all worked hard for us."

Ilott drew special merit for his performance from his skipper who reflected: "Ilott deserves a special mention for his performance throughout the game. For a season and a bit now, he's been a model professional in our dressing room.

''Anyone can look up to him and the standards that he's set. He's been brilliant in his attitude, and he's a good man to have in the dressing room."

Essex captain Nasser Hussain, who praised the players for their hard work.

Essex play two one-day friendly matches this weekend at Chelmsford when they meet two World Cup teams. On Saturday, Cup outsiders Bangladesh provide the opposition and the following day, it's the England side that are in opposition.

Both matches commence at 10.45 a.m. and will be played over 50 overs per side.

Tickets are readily available for the match with Bangladesh but anyone who does not yet have a ticket for the Essex v England match should check with the County Ground on availability as the game is a near sell out.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.