After just 21.3 overs in the last two days, this match was always destined to end as it did, although more enterprise from Essex spiced up proceedings and gave those present something to enjoy.

Play started on time at 11am and Leicestershire continued their 1st innings of 185-7 from 57.4 overs and got up to 201 all out from 68.1 overs.

Scott Brant was the bowling star this time, picking up all of the last three wickets to fall. He had DeFreitas and Dagnall both lbw, DeFreitas without adding a run to his overnight 8 and Dagnall for 0 and then after Masters and Malcolm had added 16 for the last wicket to give the home side an unlikey batting point, after falling to 185-9, Brant had the former England bowler of Devon Malcolm caught by Jefferson for 7, to leave the hosts 201 all out and a lead of just 13.

Brant is starting to look impressive and he picked up excellent figures of 22.1-7-54-4, while Jon Dakin also bowled very well, with 4-64 from 24 overs bowled, while John Stephenson's resurgence continued with 2-55.

Essex could have just batted out the final day, but livened things up by switching the batting order around and playing some entertaining shots, to set up what was to be an interesting last session.

After Robinson was bowled early by Malcolm, meaning a match total of just 11 runs, Will Jefferson and Nasser Hussain pushed along at a good rate with 62 for the 2nd wicket.

Jeffers hit 43 from only 52 balls, being next out, lbw to Charlie Dagnall, which was to be the first of his five victims, keeping Essex in check.

Nasser Hussain went soon after for 26 from 59 deliveries, before Graham Napier came up the order and joined Andy Flower to add 47 quick runs, until Napes was next out for 19 (including a six) and the score stood at 129-4 and in effect, 116-4.

Andy Flower injured himself, but returned at the end of the innings, while in the meantime, Habib and Dakin both hit quickfire 15's each, Paul Grayson 14, while James Foster added 23 in only 25 balls and although Flower returned, his wicket for 20 meant Essex declared with the score standing at 191-9 from 46.5 overs.

This effort of quick scoring then left Leicestershire needing 179 to win from the overs remaining in the day and when Essex reduced the foxes to 94-5, the chance of an unlikely victory was on the cards.

Brant (2-24) and Dakin (2-16) picked up two wickets each, which the captain got one himself to put Essex within sight of a win that seemed unthinkable after day one of this match, which shows the fighting qualities of this Essex team.

However, Darren Maddy stood firm to end unbeaten on 39 and at 104-5 from 25.1 overs, the rain came and no more play was possible, leaving the match a draw and Essex settling for 7 points.

So, after day 1, Essex have dominated this match and if it wasn't for the rain, would have surely gone onto won. Still, the first victory of the season awaits and a before the next Championship match, Essex play three one-day games, all must win.

Scott Brant - Five wickets for the day, which gave Essex a chance of a win, although the rain ruined proceedings.

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Date: 3/5/03

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