Wright stars in Essex win

Chris Wright © Getty Images

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An unbeaten 71 from Chris Wright underpinned a remarkable victory for Essex, who beat Middlesex by two wickets at Chelmsford.

Wright joined the county during the winter after failing to establish a regular place in the Middlesex line-up but showed sound technique and an ice-cool temperament to lead his new side to a shock victory.

They had started the day still requiring a further 176 runs with five wickets remaining to achieve their second LV County Championship win of the season.

The 22-year-old Wright joined experienced James Middlebrook at the crease after the home side had lost their eighth wicket, still needing another 97 runs, but the pair steadily reduced the target whilst also applying increasing pressure on their opponents.

They took 16 overs to post a 50-run partnership of which Wright contributed 41, whilst another four came from byes, as Middlebrook played an innings of grit and determination to contrast with his partner's more punishing approach.

It was an effective combination and the duo comfortably dealt with the new ball when it was taken with the score at 216 for eight.

Wright reached a 74-ball half-century that included nine boundaries and he celebrated the milestone by lofting Shaun Udal into the River Stand for six while the off-spinner was also later to suffer the same fate at the hands of Middlebrook as Essex closed in on victory.

The winning runs were fittingly struck by Wright who edged a delivery from Vernon Philander to the vacant third man boundary to record his 13th boundary, including a six, while the doughty Middlebrook faced 97 balls in his 33 not out.

Earlier in the day, Middlesex had improved their own prospects when Philander removed nightwatchman Tony Palladino in the 11th over of the day and five overs later, Varun Chopra, on 38, played and missed at a ball from Danny Evans that took out leg stump.

At that stage, the odds were heavily stacked in favour of Middlesex who needed just three more wickets for victory while their opponents were still 132 short of their target.

James Foster was joined by Middlebrook for a useful stand worth 35 before the former England wicketkeeper chased a wide long hop from Steve Finn and was caught for 16 at third man by substitute fielder Gareth Berg.

But Middlebrook and Wright pulled the game around to steer Essex home with more than a session to spare.