COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO
Chelmsford, day four of four: Essex 207 & 301-8 beat Middlesex 302 & 203 by two wickets
Essex 18 pts, Middlesex 6

Tail-ender Chris Wright was an unlikely batting hero for Essex as they beat his former club Middlesex by two wickets.

Wright made an unbeaten 71, just five short of his career-best score, in a match-winning partnership of 99 with James Middlebrook (33 not out).

Essex appeared to have little chance after losing three wickets during the morning, having resumed on 123-5.

But Wright struck a six and 12 fours and, with Middlebrook proving an able foil, saw Essex home on 301-8.

Middlesex were in the driving seat at the start of play, thanks mainly to veteran spinner Shaun Udal, who picked up three wickets during the final session on day three.

But he was unable to add to his tally and it was the Middlesex seamers who did the early damage, with Vernon Philander winning an lbw decision against Tony Palladino (16) and Danny Evans knocking out Varun Chopra's leg-stump, after he had made 38.

James Foster followed for 16 when he slashed at a wide long-hop from Steve Finn and was taken by substitute fielder Gareth Berg at third man.

Wright, however, revealed an excellent temperament to reach a 74-ball half century as he and Middlebrook chipped away at the target before raising the tempo with a six each off Udal into the River Stand.

The game ended when Wright ran a ball from Philander down to the third man boundary off the outside edge.