ESSEX head coach Paul Grayson believes his team will need to win their final two matches of the season if they are to secure promotion.

Grayson’s team defeated Kent by nine wickets after knocking off the 22 runs they needed for victory today in their County Championship Division Two clash.

Essex face bottom-of-the-table Leicestershire at Grace Road, starting on Monday, before entertaining league leaders Worcershire at Chelmsford in their final match of the season.

“We are in good form right now but we realise we probably have to win our last two games,” said Grayson after Essex completed their fourth Championship win from their last five matches.

“But the team are playing well, they are full of confidence and I thought our bowling unit was outstanding in this game.”

Essex completed the formality of scoring the 22 runs needed at the start of day three to beat Kent at Chelmsford, with the victory wrapped up in 18 deliveries with a winning margin of nine wickets.

With a haul of 22 points from the match, Essex improved their prospects of promotion.

Grayson’s team are currently third, behind Worcestershire and Hampshire, but the three other Division Two matches being played are yet to finish.

Left-hander Nick Browne had struck a well-timed straight drive to the boundary in Mitch Claydon’s opening over but then, facing Matt Hunn’s first ball of the day, he misjudged the line and was leg before.

But the bowler blotted his copybook by sending his next delivery for five wides and seven runs came from the over. The winning runs were attained in the next over.

Echo:

Paul Grayson believes Essex will need to win their final two matches if they are to be in the running for promotion to Division One of the County Championship. Picture: GAVIN ELLIS/TGS PHOTO

Tom Westley reached the ropes when facing Claydon before collecting three runs from the next ball, leaving Jaik Mickleburgh to score the outstanding two runs required two balls later.

Kent were bowled out for 198 and 151 in the match, slipping to 14 for four and 37 for five on the first morning, while Essex’s first innings produced 328 with James Foster'’ 108 backed up by Jesse Ryder (58) and Graham Napier (62).

The latter also took seven wickets in the match.

Grayson added: “The pitch offered a little bit more than everyone thought it would on the first day.

“Even so, it was a great bowling display and the century from James Foster and the innings from Graham Napier set up the game for us.

“But it was a really outstanding performance from everyone.”

Kent captain Rob Key reflected: “It was in interesting pitch, it started wet in the middle and dry at the ends so it was going to seam and also take spin.

“It was always going to be a big first session for us but unfortunately we just didn’t get through it.

“It would have been interesting if we had been able to set them 200 in the last innings but they got too far in front.

“The ball started to spin a fair amount for Monty Panesar yesterday and we had two spinners so it could have been a very interesting game of cricket.”

Echo:

Matt Walker (left) presents the Mike Denness Challenge Shield to James Foster. Picture: GAVIN ELLIS/TGS PHOTO

Today’s win saw Essex win the inaugural Mike Denness Challenge Shield.

The trophy was introduced this season in memory of Denness, who played for both counties, with the shield going to the team which performed best in matches between the clubs each season.

Kent’s assistant manager Matt Walker presented the trophy to Essex Championship captain James Foster after Essex won three and drew the other encounter between the counties this season.