Essex were sent crashing to another National League defeat at Old Trafford where Lancashire coasted home by seven-wickets after being left a modest target of 169.

Brittle batting once again explains why the County were unable to make a decent fight of it.

The fact that Ronnie Irani (64) and Stuart Law (44) scored well over half of the 168 total highlighted a problem all too familiar in the last couple of seasons.

Essex disintegrated so alarmingly that the last six wickets fell while 13 runs were being added.

Even allowing for high-class bowling and a pitch which could not be described as a featherbed, that represents an embarrassing collapse.

While off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed the prized wicket of Law by having the Australian ace caught on the mid-wicket boundary, it was Lancashire's seam attack that was responsible for the major damage.

Ian Austin, underlying the virtues of line and length, led the way with an immaculate performance, taking four wickets for 15 runs from 8.2 overs.

Peter Martin, with 3-27, and Andrew Flintoff, whose two wickets cost 24, provided the back-up support as Essex lurched from one disaster to another.

Of the last seven batsmen only Stephen Peters, with 17, reached double figures.

Although Lancashire lost openers Mike Watkinson and Chris Schofield for 34, and John Crawley just before the 100 was raised, they romped to victory with 9.1 overs to spare.

Flintoff, who scored 143 from 66 balls when the sides met at Chelmsford this season, again proved destructive, hammering an unbeaten 52 than included a six and six fours. Neil Fairbrother finishing with 50 from 75 balls to leave Essex reflecting on their fifth League defeat and relegation fears.

Muralitharan the key

Twenty-four hours earlier Muralitharan was the key figure in condemning Essex to a 118-run defeat in the Championship.

The Sri Lankan followed his seven wickets in the first innings with six more to emerge with 13-134.

Only Paul Grayson and Peters resisted as Essex were dismissed for 182, chasing 301.

Grayson showed a determination and technique lacking in others to collect his second half-century of the match.

He was eventually undone for 76 when Muralitharan found a way through his defences, but Peters was left unbeaten on 32 when the off-spinner brought the contest to an end by bowling Peter Such.

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