Essex Vs. Lancashire LVCC Day One.

Essex resist Lancashire onslaught.

Ryan Ten Doescahte hits Simon Kerrigan for six
before he is caught by Simon Katich for 77.

At 13-3 the home side found themselves in a sticky situation, but thanks to Ryan Ten Doeschate (77) and James Foster (82), Essex's first innings was revived as they closed on 

268-8.

Early success came for Lancashire, having won the toss and choosing to bowl first in cloudy conditions and a distinctly green wicket. Kyle Hogg removed both of the Essex openers, Tom Westley and Jaik Mickleburgh, before the Lancashire captain, Glen Chapple removed New Zealand batsman, Hamish Rutherford.

A minor respite was found through Owais Shah and Ten Doeschate, who achieved a 49-run partnership, but when the former was bowled by Luke Procter for 30 Essex found themselves 62-4.

Ben Foakes shortly followed, as an impatient drive gave Luis Reece his first catch on debut and Procter his second wicket, despite some indifferent bowling.

But after the lunch interval Essex were in control of affairs and after the start Lancashire has made the afternoon session became frustrating. In a stand worth 95, Ten Doescahte and Foster found it much easier than had been suggested by their former colleagues and little could be done by Lancashire to change this situation.

Ten Doescahte started to accelerate, smashing Simon Kerrigan back over his head for six, but in this manner he found his fate, hauling out to Simon Katich on the long-on boundary.

Now accompanied by Graham Napier (28), Foster remained unchallenged and his patience paid-off, allowing him to reach a fifty from 105 balls. After a largely unsuccessful day Wayne White finally found a breakthrough, trapping Napier LBW at 226-7.

But the big wicket came when Kerrigan removed Foster, also LBW, with Lancashire setting their sites on bowling Essex out before close of play.

An old face prolonged the Essex resistance, as Sajid Mahmood played a flamboyant and indeed unbeaten innings of 22, before the umpires decided that the light was insufficient, which seemed confusing based on the minute difference to previous conditions, under which they had continued to play.