Steve Peters' form in the weekend friendlies against Durham has provided Essex with plenty of encouragement for the summer.

The 21-year-old right-hander, who scored a century in helping England lift the under-19 World Cup two years ago, struggled to carve out a regular spot in the county's first team last season.

But early indications suggest that is about to change. Yesterday he played the leading role in helping Essex amass 254-8 in their 50-overs friendly against Durham at Chelmsford - but it was not enough to save his side from a four-wicket defeat.

Peters powered his way to an unbeaten 106 from 97 deliveries. His last 56 runs came off just 30 balls, many of which he drove with power and assurance through the on side.

In all, Peters struck 15 fours and a six, and his late assault was largely responsible for the county amassing 103 from their final ten overs.

He so dominated the innings that the next highest scorer was Paul Prichard with 37, while of the remaining batsmen only Darren Robinson topped 20.

The contribution of Peters should have pointed the way to an Essex triumph. That it failed to do so was due to former Essex player Jonathan Lewis who helped himself to a magnificent unbeaten 117 after Durham had started disastrously.

Mark Ilott and Ronnie Irani reduced the visitors to 7-3 in just four overs but Lewis, never a player to shirk a challenge, led a magnificent fightback which saw him gather 16 boundaries in his 140-ball effort.

John Wood provided him with his most notable support, scoring 47 in a sixth-wicket partnership which produced 125 runs in 18 overs.

But both were helped by some indifferent Essex bowling - something highlighted by the fact that 14 wides were sent down before Durham reached the winning post with 17 deliveries to spare.

In the two-day clash between the two counties prior to yesterday's meeting, Peters again underlined his potential with a fluent 58 in a first innings total of 201 all out.

But the class act came in the form of Nasser Hussain, who struck 15 fours while making 80 from 123 deliveries.

Durham, for whom Jimmy Daley scored 80 and Paul Collingwood 72, responded with 315-9 before declaring. In their second innings Essex reached 114-2, of which Paul Prichard made an unbeaten 55 - the game ending in a predictable draw.

Win tickets to see Essex play

Essex will be launching their bid for Benson and Hedges Cup glory next weekend when they take on Surrey at Chelmsford.

The county side face further games against Middlesex, Kent, Hampshire as they try to repeat their Cup success of 1979 and 1998.

Essex will play Sussex in their final group game on April 24 at Chelmsford and ten lucky Echosport readers will be going to the match with a guest each.

We have got together with B&H to give away ten pairs of tickets for the game. Just tell us who made an unbeaten 106 for Essex against Durham yesterday.

Send your answer on a postcard, together with your name, address and a daytime phone number to Cricket Competition, Echosport, Evening Echo, Chester Hall Lane, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3BL.

This competition is only open to those aged 18 or over.

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