Lancs look for revenge against Essex
CRICKET CHRIS OSTICK
FOLLOWING their One-Day Cup defeat against Yorkshire, Lancashire’s attention turns back to the Specsavers County Championship.
They host reigning champions Essex at Old Trafford, starting tomorrow, and are bidding for a second win in six Division One outings in 2018.
The ECB have made Jimmy Anderson unavailable, but Essex opener Alastair Cook can play, along with Lancashire’s Keaton Jennings after his recall to the Test side.
Lancashire, who are looking to avenge April’s defeat to Essex at Chelmsford, sit sixth in Division One on 51 points with a win, two draws and two defeats.
Last time out, they beat leaders Nottinghamshire by an innings inside three days at Trent Bridge.
Essex are fourth with two wins, two draws and a defeat. They are five points ahead of Lancashire and will field former Red Rose overseas fast bowler Neil Wagner.
“It was a frustrating start to the season, and I suppose the break for the 50 overs came at a bad time for us because we were just starting to settle into some pretty good four-day cricket,” said Lancashire captain Liam Livingstone.
“But it’s up to us now to carry what we did against Notts into Essex.”
And Livingstone is full of praise for the start Jennings has made since joining Lancashire.
“He’s been a massive part of our team at the start of the season, and from what I’ve seen fully deserved his Test call-up,” he said.
“It will be great to have him back. Fingers crossed, we might also get Jimmy Anderson back for the odd game.
“That would be a massive bonus.”