No final fling for Gough

Spinner Kaneria and in-form Napier praised by Essex skipper Pettini

Last updated: 5th July 2008

Darren Gough Yorkshire FP Trophy semi-final v Essex

Gough: Disappointed

He (Graham Napier) just doesn't stop hitting sixes. He played a really crucial innings for us today because at one point we thought we might be a little bit short of the target we set ourselves

Mark Pettini
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Darren Gough felt Yorkshire did not do themselves justice after tumbling to an 87-run defeat to Essex in the semi-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy.

The veteran seamer missed out on the chance of a final at Lord's in his farewell season as the Tykes were outplayed by their hosts at Chelmsford.

England opener Alastair Cook top-scored with 95 as Essex managed a total of 285-8, though it was Graham Napier's blistering 61 off 34 deliveries that proved crucial.

Despite 50s from Andrew Gale and Anthony McGrath, Yorkshire failed to keep up with the required-rate and skipper Gough admitted his side had left themselves with too much to do against leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

Too much

"We've done well to get this far but we didn't do ourselves justice today," the former England international told Sky Sports.

"I thought we bowled beautifully for 36 overs but then Napier struck it well. We could have probably bowled a little better in the final 10.

"I thought we left ourselves with too much to do against Danish Kaneria. We should have been more assertive against their medium-pacers.

"When you are needing eight-and-a-half from Kaneria it is always going to be hard work.

"I played here (at Essex) and that is exactly what they want and they played it to perfection.

"There is no way you are taking him for eight-and-a-half on a pitch like that. He carries that around with him and that's why Essex keep signing him. He wins games from that position."

Deadly duo

Essex captain Mark Pettini was delighted to book a trip to Lord's for a final showdown with Kent, who they have already beaten in the competition this year back in the group stages.

He was quick to sing the praises of two key performers - overseas star Kaneria, who claimed 3-32 from 8.5 overs, and the in-form Napier.

"Yorkshire played some very good cricket but we always backed ourselves to defend 285 on that wicket," Pettini said.

"With a bowler like Danish you want to try and get batsmen to play big shots and take risks against him.

"He's been fantastic in this competition all the way through for us and showed agains today what a world-class performer he is."

On Napier's innings, he added; "He just doesn't stop hitting sixes. He played a really crucial innings for us today because at one point we thought we might be a little bit short of the target we set ourselves."

"But he came out and batted superbly well and the crowd love him."