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| Made his Championship debut in the final match of the 2001 season against the champions Yorkshire. His second innings score of 41 proved to be a crucial contribution in a narrow victory for Essex. Continued to progress in 2002 and 2003 when his quick-witted batting and sharp fielding in one-day cricket particularly caught the eye. The former Cardiff University student added another string to his bow in 2004 when he featured in the 2nd XI as a wicketkeeper. Earned a call-up to the MCC side to play champion county Warwickshire in April 2005. Unable to force his way into the Championship team that year but played his part in the totesport League title-winning campaign – excelling in the field. Pettini’s breakthrough year came in 2006 when he scored 1000 Championship runs in a season for the first time and produced some explosive innings in one-day cricket – all played from the opener’s berth he occupied from the start of the campaign once Will Jefferson sustained an injury. His 2007 was another year to remember as he was appointed Captain in succession to Ronnie Irani upon the latter’s retirement in June. Runs were a little harder to come by than in the previous season, however, so he is earmarked to drop down the order in Championship cricket this season. |
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