Varun Chopra and James Foster led Essex Second XI to a comprehensive 8-wicket victory against Middlesex at Radlett yesterday.
In a rain-affected match Chopra scored an unbeaten 109 and Foster contributed 67 not out off 39 balls to reach Essex’s target of 237.
Having won the toss, Middlesex opted to bat and struggled to adapt to the regular rain intervals. Nick Compton, returning from a recent shoulder injury, opened for the hosts scoring 29 before being caught off Matt Dixon.
George Scott held the innings together with exactly 100 but nobody could support him as Middlesex stumbled to 229 for 9. Dixon picked up three wickets, while Callum Taylor and Matt Quinn continued their fine form with two wickets apiece.
Chopra led the charge in response, batting all the way through the innings. He lost Paul Walter early to a fine delivery from Tim Murtagh, before Taylor backed up his recent run-scoring exploits with another 50.
Foster then joined Chopra scoring at a strike-rate of 172 as Essex cruised to their victory target.
