George Balderson hat-trick steers Lancashire to two-day win over Essex

Balderson picked up 5 for 14 and Will Williams 4 for 24 as Lancashire successfully defended 98, bowling Essex out for just 59 on a controversial Chelmsford pitch

Chelmsford (second day of four): Lancashire 131 & 73, Essex 107 & 59 - Lancashire won by 38 runs

Scorecard

George Balderson claimed a hat-trick to wreck Essex hopes in an incredible match at Chelmsford that spanned a little over four sessions.

The pace bowler finished with 5 for 14 from seven overs, supported by Will Williams who returned 4 for 24, as Essex lost their lost nine wickets for 35 runs in pursuit of 98 to win.

Only two Essex batters reached double figures against the telling and incisive bowling of the Lancashire duo, helping their side to 19 points whilst Essex were left with a paltry three after a dramatic LV= Insurance County Championship clash.

Lancashire resumed their second innings on 25 for 6 and debutant George Bell had looked settled while moving on to 24, the equal highest score by a Lancashire player in the match.

However, his 28-ball knock ended when he was bowled around his legs by Snater to reduce Lancashire to 34 for 7. Snater had taken 5 for 6 in 4.2 overs at that stage.

The two Toms, Bailey and Hartley, both hit successive boundaries in an uncharacteristically wayward over from Sam Cook that cost 17 runs. Bailey then threw the bat to the first ball of the next over only to pick out Dan Lawrence on the long-leg boundary and hand Snater his sixth wicket and incredible figures of 6 for 10.

^{Will Williams picked up four second-innings wickets [Nathan Stirk/Getty Images]}

Hartley attempted an upper-cut Cook's short ball and only succeeded in edging behind before Simon Harmer had the last word, striking Matt Parkinson full on the front pad to end the visitors' second innings inside 24 overs for a paltry 73.

Allrounder Snater, Essex's player of the year was rewarded for a breakthrough season with his county cap during the lunch interval.

With the floodlights on throughout the day, the home side, seeking a third successive Championship victory in September, set out on the task of reaching a modest 98 runs for victory.

Alastair Cook and Nick Browne made a comparatively serene start to the chase, and had 24 on the board in seven overs to ease the nerves of the home camp when Browne was trapped lbw by Bailey.

But the introduction of Balderson sent panic waves through the home camp. With his second delivery he had Cook beaten all ends up by one that ducked in and dislodged his leg bail. His next ball had Lawrence chipping carelessly to Williams at midwicket before the bowler breached Matt Critchley's defences to claim his hat-trick.

Lunch arrived soon afterwards with Balderson feasting on figures of 3 for 0 from two overs, while Essex tottered on 34 for 4.

The latest sacrificial lamb on a wicket denounced as unplayable by Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple   was Feroze Khushi, bowled by Williams for one as Essex tottered further to 35 for 5.

Adam Rossington opted for aggression and collected two boundaries before Balderson wiped him out and with the score on 55, Essex lost their seventh and eight wicket, both to Williams.

During all the carnage, skipper Tom Westley had stood firm but he finally succumbed for 13 (41), caught by Steven Croft to give Balderson his fifth.

Williams rounded off proceedings when he bowled Sam Cook to leave Lancashire celebrating victory in a match which saw just 370 runs produced across four innings.