Essex crashed out of the Friends Provident Twenty20 this weekend as they suffered a painful semi-final defeat to eventual winners Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.
The team made the trip to Hampshire knowing a win against the home side would hand them an evening final with confidence in the camp running high after two group stage wins against the Hawks.
West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo debuted for the Eagles in a risky move that saw him flown over especially for the final while Ryan ten Doeschate returned to T20 for the first time since his stunning start to the season was halted by injury.
Unfortunately for James Foster’s side neither managed to make their mark on the game with Bravo proving expensive his bowling average reached 11.5 runs per over.
The Eagles batted first and after a nervy start from the out-of-form Alastair Cook he and former captain Mark Pettini (55) put on an impressive opening partnership of 79.
Cook was caught on 38 prompting a batting collapse with Ravi Bopara (2), Ryan ten Doeschate (1) and Bravo (5) all falling cheaply as the Eagles fell to 111-5.
Essex eventually limped home as three boundaries from captain Foster (15) help his side to 156-7 after 20 overs.
In reply Hampshire started brightly with opening pair Abdul Razzaq (44) and Jimmy Adams (34) putting on 67 for the first wicket.
A good spell from David Masters with four overs going for just 21 helped get the Hawk’s required run rate above 10 but a nightmare 19th over from disappointing debutant Bravo handed Hampshire the win with four balls to spare.