9:52am Friday 3rd September 2010
Essex Eagles know a victory is vital to seal a place in the semi-finals of the Clydesdale Bank 40 when they face Yorkshire Carnegie at Headingley Carnegie on Saturday.
Following the Eagles’ seven-wicket victory against Middlesex at the Ford County Ground on Thursday, they now head into their final group game knowing a win would propel them into the competition’s semi-finals.
Yorkshire head into the game at the summit of group B, while Essex are second and their fate rests on the outcome of their final qualifying match (start time 12.45pm).
Results elsewhere could see the Eagles make the last four should they lose although first team head coach, Paul Grayson, is anxious that his squad should make progress through their own efforts.
“We are in control of our own destiny and I’m happy with that,” he said.
“If we win, we make it through to the semi-finals but we have a tough hurdle to overcome because Yorkshire having been playing some terrific cricket in all forms of the game this year.
“They beat us by ten-wickets in the corresponding match at Chelmsford earlier in the year and also beat us in the County Championship at Scarborough so we have a score to settle with them.
“I’m delighted with our one-day form at the moment.
“We beat Middlesex on Thursday with an excellent all-round performance to record our third win in a row and although we will be without Ravi Bopara from now on, we have plenty of depth to our squad.
“Obviously we’ll miss him but I’m delighted that he’s got his chance to play again in the England one-day squad.
“He deserves it.
“He’s a top-class player and has earned his opportunity to be back in the England set-up.”
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