LONDON, June 23: Nasser Hussain’s Essex were swept aside by Warwickshire by five wickets in the final of the Benson and Hedges Cup at Lord’s Saturday.

Opening the innings, England captain Hussain was out second ball to South African counterpart Shaun Pollock. Essex’s 181-8 then proved woefully short as England prospect Ian Bell hit an unbeaten 65 to guide Warwickshire home with 13.4 overs to spare.

Bell, 20, made the most of his opportunity in front of Hussain to showcase as a future England middle order batsman

Bell, who struck seven fours, put on 84 in 12 overs with Jamie Troughton (37) after Warwickshire had wobbled at 21-2. From then on it was plain sailing.

Bell, a former England under-19 captain, picked up the man of the match award but three England one-dayers - Hussain, Nick Knight and Ronnie Irani made just 17 between them.

It was Warwickshire’s second B&H triumph, following their victory in 1994.

Essex struggled after the early loss of Hussain and limped to 40-4 after 10 overs, then 61-5 and 86-6. Paul Grayson, coming in at nine, top-scored with 38 not out.

Lankan success

BRISTOL (England): Sri Lanka beat Gloucestershire by 93 runs in their 50-overs-per-side one-day tour match on Sunday.