NICK HOWSON AT LORD'S: Essex claimed a third red ball trophy in four years after navigating their way through the gloom to hold off Somerset at the home of cricket
When Tim Southee sent the ball back into the clutches of Jack Leach at Mount Maunganui last November, few would have believed the left-arm spinner would have to wait another 10 months for a wicket of any kind. But in the form of horrific illness, injury, and loss of confidence and form, the 29-year-old has been forced to deal with multiple bouts of trauma which has threatened to derail a promising career.
Even in the unmitigated disaster of a year that has been 2020, it has been a challenging one for Leach. The Bob Willis Trophy final was his second senior match of the season. Inside the England bubble for the entire summer without a single outing - while we have been eulogising over the action we have seen - Leach's responsibilities have included carrying drinks, jumpers, and caps while wearing disposal blue gloves. It has been a sad existence.
While the bio-secure bubbles have helped ensured international cricket could go ahead safely, the nature of them has meant some players have seen remarkably little cricket. James Bracey and Ben Foakes are the others to have suffered.
He returned to action for the final regular-season match of the campaign against Worcestershire, finishing wicketless from his eight overs. He rocked up at Lord's where he scored a Test 92 last July and didn't bowl much better in Essex's first innings (0-52). It was his full toss which allowed Sir Alastair Cook to go to his century.
That it took until there were only 46 overs of the match remaining for Somerset to turn to their spinner, after Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory had bowled exhaustive spells, said as much about the movement under lights as it did about Leach's recent fortunes. But after one ball, a delivery which gripped, bounced, and left Dan Lawrence, it seemed like a shrewd decision.
The next over produced the moment perhaps he never thought would come. Leach got one to hold its line and Lawrence's huge step forward couldn't save him. The finger went up and Leach had a first wicket for 308 days. After spells in hospital beds, empty hotel rooms, and practice nets, finally some much-earned respite.
Such tribulations should work as an example of the perilous existence of the elite sportsperson. Last summer, he was the cult hero of English cricket, the sidekick alongside Ben Stokes at Headingley. A year on and he is but a footnote.
As we all hope, maybe 2021 will bring a change in fortune.
Sir Alastair Cook was left in disbelief by being given out on the field
Sir Alastair Cook looks down, scratches away at the crease, crosses his legs, and leans on his bat handle. He's not going anywhere. But umpire Russell Warren's finger is raised. Somerset's celebrations are well underway. The Essex talisman trudges off towards the Lord's pavilion, perhaps for the final time, looking as crestfallen as at any stage during his professional career.
It was a strange reaction from England's all-time leading run-scorer, and an uncharacteristic one at that. As an act of dissent goes, it was his version of throwing the toys out of the pram. He was positively spewing.
Whether Cook edged the ball or not is rather inconsequential. He was given out. He believes he didn't lay a bat on it, bowler Lewis Gregory disagrees. As good as the broadcasting of this match has been via various platforms, the replays are inconclusive.
But that is half the point. It was a key juncture in the match. A piece of silverware is on the line. We have all jumped through hoops to get to a stage where cricket can showcase these kinds of matches in a summer of such turmoil. And yet we're in the dark over the big decisions.
This is what technology does. It scrambles your mind over what is possible, and what is right. We now live in a world where sport cannot possibly be wrong. Officials are incorrect unless they are proved right, seems to be the mantra. The umpire's decision is final until the replays say otherwise.
Somerset get the crucial breakthrough after lunch.#BWTFinalpic.twitter.com/4o4wr1IUKZ
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) September 27, 2020
Why is the Decision Review System not in place for this showcase event? Well, it hasn't been used in this season, nor in any other. T20 Blast Finals Day, a more lucrative and watched competition, does not have it available and neither does the One-Day Cup. The Hundred may even end up forgoing it in an effort to speed up the game. Domestic cricket has drawn a line in the sand.
As has been the case throughout this entire cricket season, one person's misfortune is another's opportunity. After his first innings 172, it would not be Cook this time around. With the Cidermen buoyant after his departure, Essex needed another to step up to the plate and secure the Bob Willis Trophy.
While they have survived a handful of close shaves, this is not an Essex side whose backs have regularly been against the wall in recent years. They've lost just five regular-season matches since the start of 2017. When you add the T20 Blast to their two County Championship titles in that period, it is clear this is the most dominant country in the country right now. So to a point, they're in unchartered waters.
Temporarily at least, the responsibility to rebuild the Essex's rearguard fell at the feet of Dan Lawrence. The 23-year-old is very much seen as the future of England. Adept batting against red ball and white, able to bowl a few overs too - there is plenty of ability there.
Lord's played host to an exciting end to the red-ball season
He seemed destined for a maiden international bow against Pakistan after Ben Stokes withdrew for the final two Tests to return to New Zealand for personal reasons. But he too was forced to withdraw from the squad due to a family bereavement. Another opportunity will come, but it was a cruel way for a possible chance to be taken from him, even if Zak Crawley's return was still likely.
Though he was unable to guide Essex home, Lawrence showed plenty of character during his 88-ball stand at the crease. The 35 runs he contributed were rather immaterial. His grit and determination were more important and it showed character that alongside his obvious talent just reaffirms that he is destined for England honours.
Such resilience was displayed on the biggest stage against a Test match quality attack. Craig Overton is a different animal these days and he gave Lawrence a tireless going over. Factor in the gloomy conditions and the lights beaming away and his near two-hour effort was key in the eventual outcome.
While Cook gave onlookers a reminder of the past, Lawrence offered up a glimpse into the future. And it looks mighty rosy.
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