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Adam Wheater starred on debut
© Warren Page
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Some may say the Floodlit Cup is just another county money-spinner. Some may even ask what it is. But for the 2700 spectators who came to Chelmsford on Tuesday evening, and for 17-year-old debutant Adam Wheater, this was a Twenty20 game to savour.
Wheater, the wicketkeeper/batsman was Essexâ..s hero: his four dismissals, a run-out and a rapid 39 not out helping them to beat Derbyshire by six wickets. The visitors could only muster 119 for 9 after choosing to bat as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Tony Palladino struck in his first two overs to send back openers Michael Dighton (5) and Phil Weston (15). Derbyshire captain Simon Katich was just getting into his stride when two run outs sent his teamâ..s innings into freefall.
Hassan Adnan fell to a Graham Napier pick up and throw off his own bowling before Katich went following a 15-ball 21 with Wheater given another chance to showcase his talents. Non-striker Katich ran through for a bye after a slight fumble by Wheater but the wicketkeeper quickly recovered to effect a direct hit.
Essex then reduced the visitors to 60-5 when Jamie Pipe pushed at a Ryan ten Doeschate ball outside off-stump and got a thin edge behind. Things hardly improved from there.
Essex got off to a shaky start when they were reduced to 15 for 2 by the end of the third over with Grant Flower (3) and Tom Westley (0) both gone. Captain Mark Pettini was then joined by James Foster in a stand of 44 for the third wicket, helping Essex well on their way.
Foster (44) and Wheater (39 off 17 balls) then combined for a hard-hitting partnership of 51 to take Essex to the brink of victory. Foster was bowled by Jake Needham with just 10 needed but Wheater was still intent on finishing the game in style.
With one required the right-hander clubbed Botha over long-on for his third six to give Essex victory with 45 balls remaining. Essex now have two wins from two in the competition as they head into their double-header with PCA Masters on September 11 and 13, both at Chelmsford.
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