James Middlebrook grabbed his first hat-trick at Championship level to leave Essex with a sporting chance of victory against Kent at Canyterbury later today.
The 26-years-old off-spinner wrapped up the innings by removing Martin Saggers, Muttiah Muralitharan and Almgir Sheryiar to bring the home second innings to a close on 284.
That left Essex with a target of 291 and they resumed this morning needing a further 267 with nine wickets intact.
"There was not much in the pitch to help the spinners," said Middlebrook afterwards. "It was a case of plugging away and being patient.
"It's my first hat-trick since I got one for Yorskhire seconds a few years ago and obviously it's something special."
Saggers and Muralitharan were trapped lbw before Sheryiar was bowled by Middlebrook's last delivery to become the first Essex bowler to achieve the hat-trick since Danny Law against Durham five years ago.
"Now my aim is to score my first Championship century," declared Middlebrook, whose dramatic finale enabled him to finish with 4-78.
It also stole some of the thunder of Kent captain David Fulton, who was left six short of a deserved century.
When Essex started out in search of victory, Jefferson again fell cheaply when caught at silly point pushing forward at Muralitharan.
But Darren Robinson and nightwatchman Tony Palladino held firm to reach the close on 24 without loss.
Earlier the county lost their last three wickets for the addition of 19 as they were bowled out for 183 to leave them conceding a slender first-innings lead of six.
More on Essex County Cricket Club
Published Friday, August 1, 2003
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