Law's lone fight in vain as Essex crumble to spin

Lancashire 431 and 53-1 Essex 226 and 257 Lancashire win by 9 wickets

Lancashire collected 19 points and moved to second in the Championship, Muttiah Muralitharan had match figures of 10 for 123 but the glory went to Stuart Law, of Essex and Queensland, for his two undefeated centuries, a fact acknowledged by the handshake given by every Lancashire player ­ and by the crowd with two standing ovations.

Law made 116 and 123 without offering a chance, faced 532 balls in two innings of vigilance, tenacity and bristling aggression. The fact that he has played only one Test match for Australia says something about their current strength. He and Darren Lehmann would walk into any other Test team.

For the record he is the first batsman to be undefeated twice in a Championship match since Hugh Morris (166 and 104 for Glamorgan against Nottinghamshire in 1995) and the first to do so at Old Trafford since Mike Smedley, for Nottinghamshire, in 1971. Law does not discriminate: he hit Yorkshire for two centuries at Chelmsford in 1999.

On what seemed to be the first warm, sunny morning of the summer here, Essex could think only in terms of postponing defeat, restarting 45 behind with four second-innings wickets gone and Murali exploiting a wearing surface.They moved along sensibly for 12 overs before Stephen Peters had his wicket snatched by the prehensile giant at silly mid-off.

The Sri Lankan then changed ends and bowled Barry Hyams with a delivery reminiscent of Shane Warne's "ball from hell" on this ground, an off-break that arrived like a fierce throw from cover. By then, thanks to Law's savaging of anything loose, Essex were six ahead. Ricky Anderson was plumb two runs later and Ashley Cowan was run out next over by Mark Chilton's throw from square.

Law had greeted Gary Keedy's first ball with a six over square leg and gave Murali similar treatment to reach his second hundred just before lunch, the pavilion rising as he walked in. The innings then lasted another six overs before Peter Such scooped to extra cover and Law's achievement was recognised by just about every person on the ground.

Lancashire were left to score 53 and lost Chilton in the second over as Ronnie Irani signalled Essex's determination not to surrender tamely. Mike Atherton, whose cover drive is functioning with well-oiled and machine-like precision, was equally determined that Lancashire would drive on to victory. This is midsummer but he will hardly be seen here again this season, though.

As Essex trooped off, the floodlight towers had been raised for tonight's National League match.