Essex left standing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.reports from Old Trafford
Lancashire 496 and 106-0 Essex 248 and 350 Lancashire win by 10 wickets
Tigerish Lancashire have upstaged transitional Essex over an unexpectedly long weekend. This was another of the season's potentially premature finishes which somehow extended into the second session of the fourth day.
Bathed in sunshine, Jason Gallian and Nick Speak completed their second century opening partnership of the match as Essex basically stood and stared at the efficiency of it all.
The game's all-round performance belonged to Michael Watkinson, with a career-best 161 and figures of 9 for 130, including 6 for 91 in the second innings.
Lancashire look intermittent world-beaters, as a third 24-point maximum this summer testified. Speak launched the onslaught with a 52-ball half- century. His driving against the spinners, Peter Such and John Childs, was a model of balance and timing.
Lancashire were lacking Michael Atherton, Peter Martin, Glen Chapple, Neil Fairbrother and Ian Austin. Essex were at full strength, but the tail added only 30 to the Saturday night fever of Such and Mark Ilott, who ama-ssed 71 for the eighth wicket.
The sight of Wasim Akram and his express deliveries provided a side-show, except for the white-knuckled bat-clutchers of Such, with a burgeoning career average of 6.54, Steve Andrew with 7.34, and Childs on 9.43. Ilott ended on 36 not out, but Essex were down and out soon after lunch.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments