An unbroken half-century partnership featuring Grant Flower and Ryan ten Doeschate carried Essex to a three wickets victory against Surrey in the first of their pre-season warm-up matches at Chelmsford.

The county got home with 13 deliveries to spare after the visitors had posted a challenging 296 for nine from their 50 overs.

Flower finished on 69 from 56 deliveries during an innings which he is hoping will point the way to a regular place in the side.

Scores: Surrey 296 for nine in 50 overs (Ramprakash 126, Brown 40, Benning 31, Clarke 31, G. Flower 2 for 32, Tudor 2 for 67, Chambers 2 for 51). Essex 298 for seven in 47.5 overs (G Flower 69 not out, Foster 63, Pettini 62, Tudor 37, ten Doeschate 16 not out, Akram 3 for 50).

Full match report in tomorrow's Echo.