Hooper heroics but Lancs run out of time

CHELMSFORD: Essex survived by the skin of their teeth after an inspired display by former West Indies captain Carl Hooper in thre English County Cricket Championship yesterday.

Hooper  took six wickets for 51 from 32 overs but Lancashire ran out of time with just one wicket needed for victory.
Scores: Lancashire 218 & 383-7 dec drew with Essex 208 & 236-9.
Points: Essex 8, Lancashire 8.
They had declared 393 runs in front, with Glenn Chapple finishing unbeaten on 132. After reaching 55 for one, Essex suddenly found themselves in trouble as Hooper’s off-spin accounted for Nasser Hussain, who was leg before wicket for 31, and James Foster. Aftab Habib and Andy Flower put on 113 for the fourth wicket before Hooper had Flower caught by Essex old boy Stuart Law for 49. Habib later went in similar fashion after hitting 10 fours in his 69, but although James Middlebrook, Jon Dakin and Ryan ten Doeschate followed in quick succession, the final pair hung on.