Crusaders crushed by Essex

9:51am Monday 19th May 2008

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Middlesex Crusaders suffered an emphatic eight-wicket defeat at Essex in the Friends Provident Trophy yesterday.

Ed Smith won the toss and chose to bat but the visitors made a dreadful start as Ed Joyce and Billy Godleman were both out for a duck.

But they were partially rescued by a superb knock of 100 from Eoin Morgan as they finished on 259 for seven from their innings.

The hosts went into bat and they were largely untroubled after a poor bowling display by Middlesex. An unbroken partnership of 153 by Jason Gallian and Ravi Bopara helped them reach the target with seven overs remaining.

The defeat was Middlesex's third in a row in the competition.