SECOND XI REPORT: Essex on top at Billericay
Lancashire were bowled out for 229 on day two of the Second XI Championship match against Essex at Billericay to trail by 180 runs with Arav Shetty top-scoring with 55.
The hosts decided not to enforce the follow-on and by the close had extended their advantage by 63 runs for the loss of one wicket.
The second day began with Lancashire wrapping up the Essex first innings for 409, taking the last four wickets for 42 runs.
Ollie Sutton (3-79) had opener Nick Browne caught behind down the leg side for 163 before Tom Aspinwall (4-79) took the last three wickets in six balls to bring a swift conclusion to the innings.
Lancashire were in early difficulties after losing Harry Singh for 6 and George Bell for 8 before Kesh Fonseka and Arav Shetty led a good recovery with a partnership of 93, Shetty compiling his fifth second team half century this season from 54 balls.
Essex hit back by taking five wickets for 32 runs, starting when Fonseka was out for 47 after top edging a pull that was caught by the bowler Charlie Bennett (4-45) and quickly followed by Shetty who pulled Jamal Richards to Jack Auld at midwicket.
Joe Moores made 28 and Sutton contributed an attacking 47 but they were the only other batters to reach double figures as Lancashire fell well short of their opponents first innings total.
Robin Das bottom edged a pull onto his stumps off Joe Chapple for 18 as Essex reached the close on 63-1 in their second innings to lead by 243 runs with Browne on 34 and Richards on 11.