Amazing set of coincidences link Essex pair (From Echo)

Amazing set of coincidences link Essex pair

9:42am Tuesday 27th May 2008

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DESPITE being born 12 years apart, Jason Gallian and Mark Pettini have a huge amount in common.

The Essex batsmen are both openers, have captained their counties and even attended the same primary school in the Sydney beachside suburb of Avalon.

And it is therefore no surprise that the two have become close since former Nottinghamshire skipper Gallian arrived at the Ford County Ground this summer.

"It's unbelievable," admitted Gallian, 36. "We went to the same primary school in a small village in Sydney. It's uncanny.

"Mark is always welcome to pop in when he's back in Avalon. My mum is still there so if he's ever in that neck of the woods the offer is there to come round for a barbecue."

Cambridge-born Pettini, 24, grew up in the popular surfing hotspot before his family moved back to England at the age of 10.

Having started the season in fine form in one-day cricket, the Essex captain has struggled for runs in the LV County Championship, making just 16 runs in his last four innings.

But the experienced Gallian, who has endured his fair share of ups and downs during an 18-year career with Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and now Essex, believes it will not be long before Pettini comes good again.

"I haven't had a word with Mark as I think he's still in good form. I don't think there is an issue with that," said the Manly-born player, who watched his captain smash 144 in the Friends Provident Trophy win over Surrey a fortnight ago.

"It's an aspect of captaincy in that he has to look after everyone else as well as himself. It's a different sort of pressure but I'm sure he'll come to the fore again like he did against Surrey.

"I feel as if I'm a fairly open fella and if Mark feels he needs a chat we'll go and do that, but he's got his own ideas and he'll learn his own type of captaincy and the way he wants to play cricket.

"In time that will come."

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