NICK Browne has labelled Essex Eagles’ One-Day Cup batting line-up as "the best in the country" as they bid to pick up from where they left off in the competition this weekend.

Essex resume the 50-over tournament at the Essex County Ground against Surrey on Sunday, before welcoming Glamorgan on Tuesday.

Victories in the final two home games of the competition would put them in an extremely strong position to reach the quarter-finals, after which there are just two games before an end-of-season final at Lord’s.

And Browne labelled the batting line-up as the best in the country.

“I honestly believe we have the best batting line-up in the country at the moment in 50-over cricket,” said Browne. “We’ve got guys like Tom (Westley) and I who can score hundreds and guys like Ryan ten Doeschate and Ashar Zaidi who can hit sixes. If you’ve got that combination then you’re going to be a successful side.”

Browne’s relationship with Westley is one the former holds in high regard, with the two best friends expected to open the batting for the Eagles on Sunday.

The pair have started all four of the Eagles’ One-Day Cup matches at the top of the order, playing a key part as Essex remain unbeaten and top of the southern division after four matches.

And Browne, who has had a number of different partners in the County Championship and T20 Blast this season, said he is looking forward to renewing his partnership with Westley, who is currently Essex’s top run-scorer in all competitions this season.

“I don’t have a favourite opening partner, but Tom and I are best of mates,” said Browne, 25. “That helps and we’re very honest with each other.

“If I feel he’s played a bad shot, or I’ve played a bad shot, we’ll just say it, which is quite refreshing sometimes.

“I think we complement each other and the right-hand, left-hand combination works well for us. He smacks it quite straight, and it’s quite nice for me just to sit back and watch him play. And then I’ll scratch a couple down to fine leg.”

Browne and Westley put on half-century stands in the first two Royal London Cup matches at Hampshire and Sussex, and average 39 together while laying the foundations for Essex.

“Both of us are – I wouldn’t say frustrated – but disappointed that we haven’t gone on and scored big runs, though Tom did get a hundred at Hampshire,” said Browne, who has two forties and a thirty to his name.

“But forties aren’t going to win games. That’s why I’m a little bit disappointed that I’ve played myself into good positions to make a match-winning innings and just missed out. I do feel like a big score is just around the corner.

“I think 50-50 cricket is definitely more my game than T20. I can score quickly enough at the start and I’ve got the ability to bat through the innings and score hundreds.”

*To see how Essex got on in their T20 Blast match against Sussex Sharks last night and how they fare against Kent Spitfires tonight, visit echo-news.co.uk/sport.