Liam Dawson’s brilliant 119 won Hampshire a three-wicket win at Chelmsford, thereby ending Essex’s County Championship title ambitions. Surrey will have a 20-point lead heading into the final round of games when they meet Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl, thanks to Dawson’s third century of the season. Dawson came in at 32-4, with the visitors having set 267 in 59 overs, with James Vince putting up 184 for the fifth wicket, reports Live Cricket Score.
Hampshire won at the Cloud County Ground for the fourth time since 1974, thanks to Vince’s 89. Essex had won their past six games after only winning one of their first six of the season, but Dawson gave them an uphill task in the final week. Essex took the last two Hampshire first-innings wickets in five overs and earned their third bowling point. Kyle Abbott smashed Sam Cook onto his own stumps, while Tom Prest was stumped for 108, with Simon Harmer taking 6-149.
Essex scored 113 runs in the first innings. However, promoting Adam Rossington to open backfired as he lasted only three balls. Alastair Cook sought to score immediately but needed help with timing, falling behind for 16 points. As an Essex player, Dan Lawrence got things going with Westley in his final home game before joining Surrey, as the duo swiftly put on 83. Lawrence passed his 38th half-century for his boyhood county, while Westley fell to the last before lunch, choosing out long on for 45.
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