Essex will step out on the Twenty20 Cup trail against Hampshire at Chelmsford tonight (7.30pm) in front of a capacity crowd of around 7,000.

It is one of five games the county face in the competition over the next fortnight and they will be hoping Ravinder Bopara can repeat the sort of form shown in the Totesport League.

In the two games in which he has played the 19-year-old has been the most impressive batsman on view with efforts of 40 not out and 55.

The first of these innings served up victory over Hampshire at Chelmsford just over three weeks ago and Essex will welcome a repeat performance to launch their Twenty20 campaign on a successful note.

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Published Friday July 2, 2004

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