Zak Crawley rediscovers form as Kent’s clash with Northamptonshire is drawn

Kent’s Zak Crawley rediscovered some much-needed fluency at the crease against Northamptonshire, while Essex needed just 21 balls on the final day to wrap up victory over Lancashire.

Crawley started the week averaging under 20 in this season’s LV= Insurance County Championship although he was still selected in England’s squad for next month’s first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

And he followed up a first-innings 62 at Wantage Road with 84 on Sunday, sharing a 149-run opening stand alongside Ben Compton (68 not out), as this Division One clash petered out into a draw.

Shortly after Crawley clubbed the gentle off-spin of Ben Curran, brother of England internationals Tom and Sam, to long-on hands were shaken as Kent ended their second innings on 170 for one. Northamptonshire were earlier in the day all out for 430 in response to Kent’s 519 for nine declared.

Essex needed just three-and-a-half overs to get the one wicket they needed to beat Lancashire, who succumbed to an innings-and-56-run defeat at Emirates Old Trafford.

Luke Wood struck three boundaries as Lancashire added 19 to their overnight total but they were all out for 232 second time around, following a first-innings 103 in response to Essex’s 391.

Wood was the last man, edging behind off Jamie Porter, with off-spinner Simon Harmer inflicting most of the damage the day before as he finished with five for 89.

Elsewhere in the top division, unbeaten centuries from Sam Hain and captain Will Rhodes rescued Warwickshire from 25 for three to 252 without further loss and a draw against Yorkshire at Headingley.

Yorkshire sensed victory as Jordan Thompson had a day earlier taken three quick wickets but Hain (109no) and former White Rose batter Rhodes (111no) produced