The two World Cup warm-up matches contested by Essex last weekend saw them beaten narrowly in both games by World Cup participants.

On Saturday, Bangladesh won by five runs. Batting first, they lost both openers for a duck but thanks to Khaled Mahmud who scored an unbeaten 108, they reached 263 for seven when the innings closed.

His century came from just 90 deliveries which included four sixes, three straight driven.

Essex were set on a target of 205 off 34 overs after rain caused an hour's interruption to play but having reached 64 without loss, they lost wickets steadily to capitulate to 94 for five.

A typical latter order revival hoisted them to 199 for eight with Mark Ilott striking a fine 51 not out as the Bangladesh spinners enjoyed a good work out.

On Sunday, England were in some disarray at 29 for three but Graham Thorpe pulled the innings round with 88 and Alan Ealham chipped in with 37 in the middle order to hoist the total to 229 for seven.

A capacity crowd enjoying fine, warm weather then watched Essex apparently cruising to victory with Nasser Hussain and Stuart Law combining for a second wicket partnership of 120 in 23 overs.

The England selectors had allowed Hussain to play for Essex as they wanted as many of their World Cup squad to gain match practice and they further requested that they open the Essex innings in a bid to offer the England squad an alternative to the likely pairing of Nick Knight and Alec Stewart.

Hussain responded in magnificent manner hitting 82. However, a mid order collapse when the county lost five wickets in six overs while adding 24 runs brought about their ultimate defeat.

Not before Barry Hyam and Peter Such though almost realised the 10 runs still needed from the last over and the drama was increased when Vince Wells managed a no-ball off the scheduled penultimate delivery of the day as England won by just one run.

A splendid day for the crowd with one person so keen to capture the excitement that he left his car in the driveway with the engine running.

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