Essex beaten by New Zealand despite Cook's efforts
Monday, 05 May 2008 16:46
Alastair Cook averaged 32.33 in the Test series in New Zealand in March
A half-century from Alastair Cook was not enough to prevent Essex suffering a 93-run defeat to New Zealand in the tour match at Chelmsford.
Cook top-scored with 57 as the home side were bowled out for 200 on day four.
Iain O'Brien and Michael Mason took three wickets apiece as the Black Caps avoided an embarrassing loss, having been bowled out for 195 yesterday.
Essex started the day on 45-1 with Cook and Tom Westley putting on 22 before the latter was caught off the bowling of Kyle Mills for seven.
Ravi Bopara, who made 66 in the first innings, made just nine before edging a delivery from Jacob Oram to wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum.
Mark Pettini then was cleanly bowled by Mason for a duck to leave Essex on 87-4.
While wickets tumbled at the other end, Cook got past 50 off 126 balls which included six boundaries.
Mason removed the England batsman and then got rid of James Foster for a duck with the next ball.
Essex showed some fight with James Middlebrook making 28 before he became O'Brien's second victim.
Ryan ten Doeschate was the only batsman other than Cook to get past 30, before he nicked a delivery from Aaron Redmond to the wicket-keeper for 38.
Former England bowler Alex Tudor (18) was the last man to fall after being bowled by O'Brien, to seal victory for the tourists.
New Zealand play the England Lions on Thursday at the Rose Bowl, ahead of the first Test against Michael Vaughan's side at Lords on May 15th.