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John Crawley showed his courage as a captain with a bold declaration for Lancashire last night.

Crawley gave his bowlers an early shot at Essex by ending Lancashire's second innings on 209-7 - a lead of only 300.

They were not able to make the early breakthrough Lancashire were looking for, with Darren Robinson and Paul Grayson resuming today on 33 without loss.

But it was still a shrewd piece of captaincy by Crawley, who was prepared to risk a defeat to give his bowlers - especially Muttiah Muralitharan - more time to bowl Essex out.

Peter Such exploited the helpful Old Trafford pitch again yesterday to earn second innings figures of 6-77 - and complete match figures of 13 for 213, the best in the 35-year-old's 17 year career.

The modest former England off spinner again thanked Peter Marron's pitch - and also the match situation, with yesterday's rain forcing Lancashire to look for quick runs. ``I couldn't have asked for a better wicket to bowl on,'' he said. ``And I always believed they would have to go for it, which gave me a chance to take advantage of the situation.'' Neil Fairbrother was caught at slip off a superb delivery after adding only five to his overnight 35, but the dismissals of Andy Flintoff, Graham Lloyd and Mike Watkinson were all self inflicted.

Flintoff belted his sixth ball straight to mid off, Lloyd top-edged a reverse sweep and Watkinson holed out to long on. Crawley continued his consistent form by battling 154 balls for 64, his second half century of the match and his fifth in seven championship innings.

But when he was out, caught behind off Grayson's slow left arm, Lancashire were 146-6 - with a lead of only 237 - and they were grateful to some sensible batting from Warren Hegg, Ian Austin and Peter Martin to allow Crawley to declare at quarter to six.

Then yet again it was over to Murali.

Lancashire have awarded a second XI cap to Edenfield pro Mike Smethurst. The 22-year-old seamer, who played in a number of first team games early in the season, took six wickets in the recent second team game against Leicestershire.