KING Ronnie!SOME doubted the inclusion of the Essex captain in the England one-day squad for the triangular series but the all-rounder has shone since his international recall with some fine performances in the matches which have earned England a place in Saturday's Lords final against India.

But it was his man-of-the-match efforts on Tuesday, in England's crushing win over India at The AMP Oval, which have sent his critics scuttling for cover.

A top score of 53 from 55 balls, 5 for 26 in seven overs, and then wrapping up the match by taking the catch which won the match it was a day to remember for big-hearted Ronnie.

However England's gain has been Essex's loss, at a time when injuries have left the county side somewhat depleted.

Understrength without Irani and Nasser Hussain and the injured Ashley Cowan, Paul Grayson and Mark Ilott, Essex went down by eight wickets to Glamorgan at Swansea in the county championship on Sunday, ending their run of five successive championship wins.

Essex are now involved in a championship match with Worcestershire at Southend, and on Sunday entertain Hampshire at Southchurch Park.

Handily placed in the National League with three wins from their four matches so far, Essex will be looking to step up their push for promotion as they have four games in hand on some counties.

Essex could welcome back Irani and Nasser Hussain, provided that the international one-day final at Lords is concluded on Saturday.

Should Essex follow their Benson and Hedges form until the final at least then the 10-1 the bookies were offering at the start of the season for Essex to win the Division Two National League could well look overpriced.

Next Tuesday, with Irani and Hussain back, Essex take on Yorkshire in the quarter-finals of the C&G Trophy at Chelmsford, a repeat of the B&H Cup quarter-final.

July 11, 2002 11:00