Walker helps Eagles stroll to win
Matt Walker cracked 66 as Essex eased to victory over hapless Gloucestershire
Essex Eagles moved into the top four of the Friends Provident t20 South Group with a comprehensive 66-run victory over Gloucestershire Gladiators at Bristol.
The Eagles posted 184 for four after winning the toss as Matthew Walker top-scored with 66 and Scott Styris blasted 41, including five fours and two sixes.
In reply, the Gladiators could manage only 118 all out in 17.3 overs as Styris, Chris Wright and Danish Kaneria claimed two wickets each. The hosts remain rock bottom having won only two of their eight matches.
Only youngster Chris Dent and Chris Taylor could make any impression on the Essex bowling as Gloucestershire slumped again, having been bowled out for only 68 in their previous game with Hampshire Royals.
They were never in the hunt after experimental opener Jon Lewis fell to Scott Styris for a duck in the opening over.
Too many batsmen offered catches, the best of them a tumbling effort from Tim Phillips at deep midwicket to dismiss Steve Snell.
Earlier, Essex had also made a poor start to their innings when Ravi Bopara was run out for two off the third ball by James Franklin’s direct hit.
But Alastair Cook and Walker soon repaired the damage, adding 63 in eight overs. Cook smashed a Gemaal Hussain full toss over midwicket for six and also hit three fours in making 38 off 32 balls before top-edging a short one from Franklin to cover.
The real acceleration came when Walker and Styris plundered 60 in four overs between the 13th and 16th, with Styris twice lifting the off-spinner Kadeer Ali back over his head for six.
It was 147 for three when the New Zealander fell to Franklin having faced only 21 deliveries. Walker followed with the total on 165, having reached a half-century off 34 balls, with eight fours.
Lewis was the pick of the Gloucestershire bowlers, conceding only 19 from his full stint, but it did not matter as the Eagles earnt their fourth win in seven t20 games, keeping them on course for a quarter-final spot.
