Essex batsmen Alastair Cook and Nick Browne shone as Essex thumped Middlesex by 97 runs in their third pre-season match in Dubai.
After winning the toss, Essex elected to bat first, with Browne and Cook opening the batting and both put the opposition attack to the sword with 108 retired apiece.
Varun Chopra and Tom Westley were next to the crease, with both keeping the scoring rate ticking over in the sweltering heat.
Chopra was stumped off Sowter for a quick fire 42 while Vice-Captain Westley scored an excellent 54 before retiring as well.
Dan Lawrence departed quickly for zero but experienced heads Ashar Zaidi and James Foster kept the score moving with 21 and 20* respectively.
The tail didn’t wag but Essex were already well on their way to a monstrous total of 382 off their 50 overs.
James Fuller was the pick of the bowlers for Middlesex taking four wickets while Nathan Sowter also took two.
Middlesex began well in response, well aware the required run rate could get away from them without a rapid start.
Sam Robson scored 39 before edging behind off Callum Taylor, whilst Nick Gubbins and Nick Compton scored 20 and 28 each.
The mainstay of the opposition’s innings was Steve Eskinzai who carried his bat for 107 not out.
He did not receive the support required though, as Taylor, Zaidi and Ryan ten Doeschate ran through the tail to see the London side bowled out for 285.
Norfolk-born Taylor was the pick of the bowlers for Essex taking four wickets, as he continues to shine following an impressive winter stint in Australia.
