Pettini eyes more trophies

Mark Pettini lifts the Friends Provident Trophy following Essex's victory over Kent

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Mark Pettini believes his maiden piece of silverware as Essex captain will be the first of many during his time in charge.

Pettini, 25, inherited the leadership from Ronnie Irani just over a year ago and led the county to their first Lord’s final win for 10 years on Saturday.

The five-wicket Friends Provident Trophy triumph over Kent means the club will have something to show for a successful season - they were semi-finalists in the Twenty20 Cup and are currently top of Division Two in the NatWest Pro40.

“When I was offered the captaincy, one of the reasons I really wanted to do it was because I believed this side could go to very high places and win trophies,” Pettini said.

“The guys have done themselves proud this year - when we set out at the beginning of the year and looked at what we wanted to achieve it wasn’t a project that was going to have immediate results necessarily.

“We thought it might take a little while to develop but all I asked was that the guys played their cricket the right way and tried to fulfil the potential they have got.

“There were no targets in terms of results or trophies at all, we just set up how we wanted to play our cricket and let the results take care of themselves.

“So to have won a major competition this year is really testament to how hard the guys have worked. They have exceeded that expectation of mine.”

One of Essex’s one-day heroes this summer, all-rounder Graham Napier, was excellent with the new ball on Saturday, shaking up the Kent top order during a spell of 6-1-11-1.

His pyrotechnic exploits with the bat have drawn attention but has also showed genuine speed as a bowler.

Essex seamer Graham Napier celebrates bowling Kent opener Joe Denly early on in the Lord's final

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“He can bowl quick, he bowls a heavy ball, we know that from facing him in the nets,” said Pettini. “And he’s been clocked on television games at up to 88-89 miles per hour.

“He went a little bit quicker here, he’s a big, strong guy as everyone can see from his hitting of the ball. But it also means he can bowl fast.

“He has made an effort to get himself stronger and fitter, and he is in great condition.”

Kent, meanwhile, briefly got back into the contest thanks to another with international ambitions.

Fast bowler Robbie Joseph, 26, recently qualified for England despite his Antiguan upbringing, and claimed a trio of top-level scalps - Ravi Bopara, Alastair Cook and James Foster - in taking 3-40.

“He’s one of these lads that has always worked really hard, and he has been around for quite a while,” said Kent captain Robert Key. “But he could not quite find it.

“Something has just clicked for him and at times he has bowled brilliantly this year.

“He’s had some great battles with Justin Langer, some of which Langer won, but he has bowled well at good players.

“He bowls well on flat wickets because he has got a bit of pace and he is definitely one for the future.

“He has had quite a few issues with naturalisation, that has all come through this year, so he feels a bit more settled and knows what he is doing.”