County Championship: Dan Lawrence ton puts Essex well on top

Resuming on 37-1 after a 45-minute delay for rain and replying to Essex’s first innings total of 282, the Red Rose’s hopes of batting all day and building a lead were scuppered by Sam Cook (4-42) and Paul Walter (3-20) as they crumbled to 145 all out.

Will Williams’ removal of both Essex openers, including Sir Alistair Cook, without scoring, did give Lancashire a glimmer of hope as the southern outfit began their second innings.

But the visitors rallied superbly and brutally to close on 292-8 with a lead of 429 runs going into the final day thanks to a brilliant century from birthday boy Lawrence, 26, who was out to the last ball of the day for 135 having scored eight fours and nine sixes.

Cook sparked the collapse when he induced Lancashire skipper Keaton Jennings to edge to Matt Critchley for 29 and 76-2 quickly became 76-3 when Dane Vilas failed to make ground running for a quick single and was out without scoring.

Rob Jones wafted at a wide one from Doug Bracewell before the introduction of the giant Walter brought the key wicket of Josh Bohannon who was pouched by a well-placed Simon Harmer at leg slip for 44.

There was still time just before lunch to see the back of Colin de Grandhomme, trapped in front second ball by Cook, Tom Hartley, well caught at slip by Sir Alastair Cook first ball, and Jack Blatherwick, lbw to Walter, again without scoring.

Suddenly Lancashire had lost four wickets for two runs and any thought of a lead or even parity had gone out the window with Essex pondering an unlikely following on invitation as the players departed for the interval.

While the carnage occurred at the other end, Phil Salt was acquitting himself well and together with Tom Bailey, the wicketkeeper, who finished unbeaten on 35, managed to get Lancashire beyond the follow-on target but only just as Cook took the wickets of Will Williams and Bailey.

A lead of 137 ensured Essex were in total command but a degree of jeopardy was introduced when first Nick Browne and then Cook departed without scoring, quickly followed by skipper Tom Westley who became Williams’ second wicket of the innings as the visitors were reduced to 27-3.

Quick runs were needed and Lawrence and Critchley obliged as the fourth wicket pair put on 95 runs before the latter was bowled sweeping by Hartley for 40.

Walter swung the bat for his 24 before he fell to Bailey with Harmer becoming the seamer’s third wicket when he was brilliantly caught one-handed by Jennings for four.

Hartley picked up another with William Buttleman lbw for four and it was left to Bracewell, who hit a very effective half-century of his own off just 29 balls, to safely usher Lawrence to his third century of the season which the England hopeful brought up with a towering six over long on.

With the brakes off and a demoralised Lancashire on the metaphorical canvas, Lawrence proceeded to hit four more sixes, taking Essex to an unassailable lead while sending a timely message to the England selectors.