http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Somerset-c843 – Cricket News Update
Essex County’s head coach Paul Grayson has maintained that his side is not intimidated by a formidable Somerset, whom they will play in the Friends Life T20 quarter-final, at Taunton, on July 24.
“WE don't fear them” was Paul Grayson's message after Eagles drew against the 2005 FLt20 champions, at latter’s backyard, Taunton.
"Going to Notts, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yorkshire-c867 or Somerset was going to be a tough draw no matter where we went," he added further.
The Sabres made it to the knockout stages after finishing top in the Midlands/ Wales/ West Group, with five wins and two losses from their 10 FLt20 fixtures this season, the remaining three games being washed out. Both the defeats, a 9-wicket loss to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gloucestershire-c785
and a 54-run crushing at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Worcestershire-c866, came at home.
The Eagles, on the other hand, finished the group stage third in the South Group, with five wins and four defeats in 10 appearances, and earned a consolation entry into the last eight for being the third best placed finishers in the tournament.
The Essex coach admitted that Somerset are a good side however, did not rate them as favourites for July 24 fixture.
"Somerset are a good side. It's a team we've had some good matches against in the past. It's a team we certainly respect but don't fear and I think there'll be some excellent cricket on show that day,” said Eagle’s head coach.
"It comes down to 40 overs of cricket, hopefully we'll get a good pitch and good weather and may the best side win basically," he added further.
To date, the two outfits have played four t20 matches against each other, with both sides winning two games apiece.
The Sabers have reached three consecutive Flt20 finals, failing to lift the trophy on each occasion. On the other side of the coin, the Essex Eagles have not won a Friends Life T20 title in their history.
Grayson also heaped praise on his side for showing greater consistency than last season, when they crashed out during the league stage.
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