Danish Kaneria turned in another impressive performance to keep Essex in the game on the opening day of their Championship clash with Hampshire at Chlemsford.
The 23-year-old Pakistan leg-spinner confirmed his stamina and control during another warm day in which he collected 4-91 from 32 overs.
But despite his efforts the visitors just shaded the honours to reach the close on 306-7 on a pitch which is expected to help Hampshire megastar Shane Warne as the game progresses.
Hampshire's John Crawley - born in Maldon 33 years ago - shared centre stage with Kaneria before missing out on the 43rd century of his career by three runs.
The former England opener arrived to do battle in the second over after Graham Napier had breached the defences of Michael Brown without a run on the board.
And well before he had moved into double figures from his 50th delivery, Crawley bade farewell to Derek Kenway, caught at first slip by Andy Flower in Kaneria's first over.
But it was not until deep into the second session that Essex celebrated another success as Crawley and Michael Clarke put the visitors in control.
Most of the time Crawley adopted either a broad defensive bat or pushed gently into the gaps.
But when the opportunity to drive presented itself he seized upon it and was rewarded with a dozen boundaries.
Clarke was also quick to punish anything loose and had found the boundary 11 times in his 69 when a mistimed drive against Kaneria ended up in the bowler's hands.
Crawley was denied a deserved century when Darren Gough had him caught low down at first slip by Alastair Cook.
Gough, who had earlier found extra bounce to have Will Kendall caught behind, should also have dismissed Dimitri Mascarenhas in the same over in which Crawley was despatched.
But Cook was unable to hold up a sharp phance to his left and Mascarenhas showed his gratitude by scoring 32 in a sixth-wicket partnership of 62 with Nic Pothas, before Kaneria accepted another easy return catch.
Published Thursday June 10, 2004
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