DAY THREE REPORT: Lancashire progress halted by rain in Chelmsford
Keaton Jennings held together Lancashire’s second innings with a patient half-century on a truncated day’s cricket at Chelmsford.
The Lancashire captain batted throughout the 36 overs possible before rain returned at tea leading to a premature end of the day. By that time Jennings, the leading LV= Insurance County Championship run-scorer last season, had racked up 80 runs from 170 balls.
Lancashire lost three quick wickets before 20-year-old wicketkeeper George Bell joined Jennings for an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 56 in 23 overs.
When play was finally called off at 4.45pm, Lancashire were 167 for four with a lead of 155 going into the final day. Bell was unbeaten on 30 from 78 balls.
Heavy overnight rain had left puddles in the outfield and the umpires required two morning inspections before deciding play could resume after an early lunch.
There was an immediate surprise as Jamie Porter and Sam Cook switched from their more familiar bowling ends. Porter quickly acquainted himself with the River End and with the fourth ball of the day had Josh Bohannon playing down the wrong line and losing his off-stump.
The change did not inconvenience Cook either and in his third over he found the edge of Steven Croft’s bat with Dan Lawrence taking a smart diving catch to his right at third slip
Dane Vilas showed attacking intent with a straight drive, a flick off the legs and a hook for boundaries before he miscued a massive heave and skied Doug Bracewell to mid-on.
The sun made a welcome appearance during the afternoon to turn it into a one-sweater day; even Simon Harmer had dispensed with the snood he had worn for the first two days.
After losing three wickets inside six overs, Jennings and Bell bedded down into preservation mode partnership that was enlivened by a perfectly-time straight drive off Porter by Jennings and a rare boundary off Harmer through the covers from Bell.
Essex had an injury scare when Cook limped off mid-over as a precaution after landing awkwardly on his left ankle. They were already reduced to fielding Michael Pepper as replacement wicketkeeper after Adam Rossington damaged his hand.
