Essex's Pettini targets promotion

Mark Pettini made his debut for Essex in 2001

Captain Mark Pettini has set himself the challenge of guiding Essex to the top-flight of the County Championship next season.

Essex were relegated from the First Division in 2003, and finished fifth in the second tier last term.

Pettini, 25, agreed a new contract on Wednesday, which has committed him to the county until 2011.

"We feel like a Division One side, the guys are desperate to prove they're good enough," he told BBC Essex.

"We've been probably too long in Division Two, we certainly feel that if we can get up to Division One that we'll stay there, so it's certainly an aim of ours for next season."

The right-handed batsman believes the county have been shrewd in the players they have signed recently.

"We signed Matt Walker, he'll be a big asset to our side, he's a left hander at the top of the order and he's got experience.

"We also signed Jon Maunders who did really well for us in the games he played at the end of the year."

Pettini does not think the squad's strengths are only in the batting department.

"I would say we've got real depth in the bowling and a nice balance."