Eagles not overawed by Royals (From This is Hampshire)

Eagles not overawed by Royals

8:22am Wednesday 28th July 2010 in

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Essex captain James Foster is not overawed by the prospect of facing Hampshire at their Rose Bowl venue on Friends Provident t20 finals day.

The Eagles beat Lancashire by eight wickets at Chelmsford last night to book their place in the last four - and they were promptly drawn against Hampshire.

Essex have already beaten the Royals twice in the competition this season, but Foster is putting no stock in that.

"We're just happy to be there," Foster said. "Hampshire are a very good team. We were successful both times (in the group stage) but I'm sure that will mean nothing.

"Ultimately it's all about who deals with the pressure on the day."

Mark Pettini and Matt Walker were the heroes last night, coming together after Ravi Bopara had fallen cheaply in the third over as they shared in a stand of 147 in 15 overs.

Pettini struck 81 from 56 balls with the help of seven fours and one six whilst Walker plundered four sixes amongst his eight boundaries in making an unbeaten 74 from 49 deliveries.

That allowed them to surpass a daunting looking Lancashire total of 183 for six with five balls to spare, with Foster smashing 16 in only five balls to see them home in front of a boisterous Chelmsford crowd.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "The Essex crowd all tournament have been superb and today we really needed them. They helped us.

"Pettini and Walker were outstanding. And to be there at the end was really, really nice."

In the day's other game, Craig Kieswetter produced a timely return to form as Somerset crushed Northamptonshire by seven wickets to book a semi-final against Nottinghamshire.

The England one-day wicketkeeper hit 33 off 28 balls, with a six and four fours to help his side chase down a simple target of 113 with three overs to spare. Peter Trego (30) and James Hildreth (25 not out) were the other main contributors.

Northants shot themselves in the foot with three run-outs after winning the toss. Only Stephen Peters (40 not out) and Rob White (26) could make any impression on a turning pitch as left-arm spinners Murali Kartik (one for 15) and Arul Suppiah (one for 14) tied them in knots.