Essex set the standard

Essex began their defence of the Friends Provident Trophy with a convincing seven-wicket victory against Northamptonshire at Chelmsford.

After the visitors had been bowled out for 281 in the final over of their innings, Essex reached the winning post with 10 deliveries to spare.

Matt Walker, the new recruit from Kent, played a leading role in their triumph, striking an unbeaten 69 from 65 balls.

He drove and pulled with authority as he helped himself to nine boundaries and shared an unbroken stand of 88 with Grant Flower, whose unbeaten 70 carried Essex to victory in the final at Lord's last August.

Skipper Mark Pettini and Varun Chopra laid the foundation for success with a second-wicket partnership of 88 after Jason Gallian was caught behind off David Lucas for 19.

Grant Flower reinforced his one-day credentials with a mature run-a-ball 42 to see Essex past the finishing post

Pettini's positive approach brought him 57 before he chipped Andrew Hall to Monty Panesar at mid-on. He had faced 67 deliveries.

Chopra shared a half-century stand with Walker before he was caught behind to provide Panesar with what proved to be his only wicket.

Chopra’s 67 from 98 balls contained eight fours, many of them well-timed drives either side of the wicket.

That paved the way for Walker and Flower, who finished unbeaten on 42 from as many deliveries, to see Essex home.

Flowers' contribution included three fours and a six as he again confirmed what a key player he is in the one-day arena.

He also put a brake on Northants' progress in his guise as a left-arm spinner, conceding only 31 in eight overs while picking up the wickets of Riki Wessels and Johan van der Wath.

Wessels was one of three Northants batsmen to top 50, Rob White having struck a rapid 47 from 38 balls with the help of two sixes and six fours.

White was eventually stumped by James Foster following a partnership of 102 in 21 overs with Nicky Boje, who made 56 from 76 balls before he, too, fatally left his crease. Off-spinner James Middlebrook was the successful bowler.

It was Steven Crook, however, who produced Northants’ best innings as he collected two sixes and nine fours en route to 72 off 53 balls.

He was bowled in the final over of the innings by Ryan ten Doeschate, but his fine effort could not prevent Essex opening their campaign in winning style.

"Our success last season was built on outstanding team performances and this was another example of that," said Pettini. "Everyone played his part and I am delighted."