Essex v Kent: Robbie Joseph mops up the Essex to tail to wrap up victory quickly on final day

Robbie Joseph wrapped up victory for Kent in just 43 minutes as Essex’s tail submitted meekly in a match ruled by the bowlers.

The home side had started the day on 198 for six in search of 285 for victory but after moving the total on to 218, they lost the remaining four wickets for the addition of just nine more runs in six overs to be dismissed for 227. Joseph claimed three of those wickets to fall in the session.

James Foster started the day positively for Essex, striking Darren Stevens to the cover boundary and then Tim Phillips sent the ball racing to the ropes with a flourishing off drive to keep the hosts’ hopes of victory alive, but that bevy of runs saw Stevens removed from the attack to be replaced by Simon Cook.

Despite conceding four leg-byes, Joseph struck later in the same over when he had Phillips caught by Stevens at third slip for 12 as the left-hander went on the drive.

David Masters fell without scoring three overs later when he attempted to pull a delivery from Cook but only succeeded in top-edging a skier to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones before Joseph took the last two wickets in successive overs, including that of Foster to end the home side’s fading hopes.

The Essex captain had made 21 when he played forward and edged a delivery that swung away into the gloves of Jones while 17-year-old Reece Topley prodded forward to another superb outswinger to be caught by James Tredwell at first slip to complete a “pair” on championship debut.

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India v Sri Lanka: don't judge Mahendra Singh Dhoni on World Cup final outcome, says Kapil Dev

Trophy holder: Kapil Dev (middle) is the only Indian captain to win the Cricket World Cup Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Dhoni, having steered India past Pakistan in the semi-finals, is expected to complete the job with victory in Mumbai on Saturday to give the home side a second title to add to Kapil's 1983 breakthrough.

"I will never doubt Dhoni's credentials as a captain irrespective of the result of World Cup final," said Kapil.

"Lots of people believe that it's the ultimate result which will count but I believe otherwise.

"Look at Ricky Ponting. He has won two World Cups and after one bad World up he is out. That's not the way to judge a captain. So I would like that Dhoni not be judged by a win or loss. Instead, let's all wish him the very best."

Arjuna Ranatunga, who captained Sri Lanka to their only World Cup title in 1996, feels that both teams are evenly-matched.

"It will be a 50-50 game. I am slightly worried about our middle-order. The batsmen from No 5 to No 7 (Angelo Mathews, Thilan Samaraweera and Chamara Silva) haven't performed up to the mark. Also Mahela's (Jayawardene) form is a bit of worry for us," Ranatunga said.

"Those who believe that there won't be pressure are wrong. I myself have played a final and I know how it feels out there in the middle."

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