SECOND XI MATCH REPORT: Essex clinch victory despite Perera century
Sav Perera carried his bat to make made a Second Eleven Championship best score of 150 not out, but his fine effort on debut for Lancashire could not prevent Essex wrapping up a convincing 250-run victory by lunch on the final day at Billericay.
Perera, the former England under 19 batter, started the day on 72 and steadily accumulated the 28 he needed to reach a third competition hundred having made centuries for Nottinghamshire in 2018 and Glamorgan two years ago.
Resuming their second innings on 186 for six, Lancashire soon lost James Dunn, bowled by left arm spinner Aum Patel for 7.
But Haider Hussain dug in to lend great support that helped Perera reach his century in a partnership of 39 from 17 overs before he was lbw to Nav Dwivedi for 4.
Louis Backhouse contributed 10 to a ninth-wicket alliance of 34 and Uday Modhwadia made 8 as he helped Perara reach his 150 off 267 balls (including 18 fours) in 6 hours and 49 minutes of solid, determined batting.
It was a fine effort by the left handed opener, but Essex wrapped up a well-deserved victory during an extended morning session when Modhwadia was last out with the score on 296, one ball after Perara had reached his 150.
Points: Essex 22, Lancashire 3.
TEAMS
ESSEX: Nick Browne, Feroze Khushi, Tom Westley, Noah Thain (capt), Jamal Richards, Luke Georgeson, Ali Zeb, Simon Fernandes (wkt), Jamie Porter, Nav Dwivedi, Aum Patel, Alex Gosling.
Essex substitutes Areeb Rashid for Tom Westley, CP Newman for Jamie Porter (start of day 3).
LANCASHIRE: Harry Singh, Sav Perera, George Bell (wkt), Arav Shetty, Rocky Flintoff, Josh Boyden, Will Williams (capt), Joe Moores, Harry Birkman, James Dunn, Haider Hussain, Louis Backhouse.
Lancashire substitute: Uday Modhwadia for Will Williams (after Lancashire first innings, day 2).
Concussion batting substitute: Louis Backhouse for Josh Boyden (Lancashire second innings).