Essex fail to follow Law's fine example

Lancashire 431 Essex 226 and 160-4

Lancashire had other reasons to smile yesterday – or was it a smirk in the direction of Headingley? They escaped unscathed from a complaint about their pitch and the Pakistani Consul in Manchester, Jamil Ahmad, presented them with a shield to mark their contribution towards the success of the second Test and community relations generally. Their relationship with Essex continued a predictable path, with an enforced follow-on and the probability of a third consecutive Championship victory today.

Again their star performer was Muttiah Muralitharan. He bowled 48 overs in the first innings to take 6 for 53 and may have similar figures in the second. He averages 40 overs an innings with Lancashire, a work rate that would bring a nod of admiration even from Sir Alec Bedser. Other counties can take comfort from the fact that he has only two more matches to play, against Surrey and Kent away, before he is recalled to Sri Lanka.

For Essex the summer solstice was certainly a long day. Manchester has had many a brighter, warmer day in February. Low grey skies and a cold wind made hypothermia a greater threat than a pitch invasion as the crowd sat huddled in overcoats watching Essex's gritty battle.

What has saved them from a three-day defeat is the quality of Peter Marron's pitch. The indication on Tuesday was that it would provide turn, which was borne out, but the spin has remained slow, the surface has stayed firm and flat and, as Stuart Law demonstrated to his less-experienced and younger colleagues, runs can be scored with a controlled technique and a clear head.

Essex had grumbled to the umpires, and a pitch inspector was called yesterday, but no action will be taken.

Law's second century of the summer, and his seventh successive half-century in Championship matches, stemmed from his refusal to be awed by Muralitharan's reputation and by the close ring of fielders.

Law towered over his team during the morning session when Essex lost four more wickets to Muralitharan and Gary Keedy, his century coming on the stroke of lunch, from 286 balls with 14 fours. John Crawley could have claimed the new ball immediately after lunch but left it for half an hour, during which time the Essex tail added another handy 32 runs, again emphasising there was little to fear from the surface.

The deficit was 205 but Richard Clinton and Paul Grayson, who had promised a partnership in the first innings, played as if they had learned from Law, taking no risks until, with 81 on the board, Grayson swung at a shortish ball and was caught behind. He looked unhappy.

Two overs later Glen Chapple struck again, Clinton edging to second slip and again in his third over, Darren Robinson hooking to deep fine leg. The next short ball, to Law, flew over square leg for six. Ronnie Irani was snatched off bat and pad but by the close Queensland's indomitable captain had added yet another 60 runs. Law has now reached, in all cricket, his thousand runs for the season.