Cook serves up seconds as title goes to Essex
LEACH MAKES DECIDER AN EXCITING SPECTACLE
ESSEX brought the curtain down on the most memorable summer of cricket with their second County Championship title in three years.
But in keeping with the thrilling and entertaining nature of 2019 they did it on yet another day of drama, at the home of the vanquished Somerset who once again finished in second place as their search for a maiden title now goes into its 129th year.
What should have been a simple and straightforward bore draw due to the rain that had blighted the game became anything but, thanks to the spinning fingers of Jack Leach.
With all 20 Essex wickets needing to be taken on the final day Leach and fellow left arm twirler Roelof van der Merwe gave Somerset a sliver of hope by spinning Essex out first time round.
But just when the local supporters thought a miracle was on the cards with Somerset forfeiting their own second innings with just over an hour left to play, Sir Alastair Cook stepped in to make sure the trophy headed back East with the draw that secured it.
“It was a horrible 48 hours really, with the weather around, it was about survival,” said former England skipper Cook who made 53 and 30 not out. “It was always on the edge but it is an unbelievable win for the guys. When I got out I thought I was going to have another bat because it was just so tough to start on there. You needed some luck early on.
“I’m lucky, I have played a lot in the subcontinent and I have a method but our guys probably haven’t played that much spin. It is a bit more special for me to be out there this time but it is absolutely not about me, it is about the guys, it is a proper Essex unit. We know how to have a good time and we enjoy playing cricket together. It has been a privilege to play and this is why I carried on, a chance to win trophies with Essex.”
The game saw Somerset legend Marcus Trescothick, 43, inset below left, receive an ovation from the crowd as he came on as a substitute fielder for a last appearance before his retirement.
Essex skipper Ryan ten Doeschate, hitting out left, deserves plenty of credit for the way his team have lost just one game all season, the first, then went on a run of seven wins out of eight before this final draw.
He gave up the T20 captaincy to Simon Harmer which proved to be a masterstroke with Essex winning their first Blast title on Saturday before the county completed a well deserved double.