Lancashire eventually beat Essex by 38 runs in a match both sides will want to forget as quickly as possible as a total of 370 runs were scored between them over two innings - the worst total in 42 years.
After 26 wickets fell in the opening day at Chelmsford any hopes of a third or fourth days play were quickly over as even less runs were scored on the second day. The Red Roses, third in the County Championship table, feared defeat after being bowled out for 73 in their second innings after an opening innings of 131.
However, a hat-trick for pace bowler George Balderson stunned Essex as Sir Alastair Cook high scored on 14 as the hosts were skittled out for a measly 59 following their 107 first innings total. It meant that Lancashire won by 38 runs.
