Essex Cricket Club

Well played - Dan Lawrence made exactly 100 not out against Lancashire

Dan Lawrence makes the right impact on his return but hosts Lancashire hit back
DAN Lawrence made exactly 100 not out and Nick Browne returned to form with 71 as Essex shared the spoils with Lancashire on the opening day of their Division One LV= Insurance County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford.

Frustrated - Billericay were beaten by 80 runs against Buckhurst Hill Picture: NICKY HAYES

A look at this weekend's cricket action

Successful start - Hadleigh & Thundersley beat Hornchurch by 10 wickets on the opening day of the Premier Division season

New Hadleigh skipper Sam looking to build on fine start

Memorable day - Sir Alastair Cook scored a century in both innings for the first time in his illustrious career Picture: TGS PHOTOS

Sir Alastair Cook scores century in both innings for first time in Essex draw

Well played - Yorkshire's Joe Root scored 75 against Essex

Yorkshire's Joe Root and Harry Brook impress against Essex

Century maker - Paul Walter celebrates his maiden first-class century Picture: TGS PHOTOS

Paul Walter century gives Essex the upper hand against Yorkshire

Highly rated - South African Grant Roelofsen is determined to impress for Billericay Cricket Club this season Picture: NICKY HAYES

Grant looking to make big impact at Billericay

Another century - for Essex opener Sir Alastair Cook Picture: TGS PHOTOS

Sir Alastair Cook hits century as Essex build solid foundation against Yorkshire

Essex wicketkeeper makes surprise announcement

Essex wicketkeeper makes surprise announcement

Doing well - Paul Walter (right) scored 93 for Essex

Paul Walter misses milestones but helps Essex to draw with Northamptonshire

Playing his part - Matt Critchley finished the day 44 not out Picture: TGS PHOTOS

Essex pair Paul Walter and Matt Critchley frustrate Northamptonshire

Frustrated - Sir Alastair Cook trudges off for Essex

Northamptonshire have the upper hand on Essex

Fighting back - Essex claimed late wickets to reduce Northants to 233 /7 at the close of play Pictures: TGS PHOTOS

Will Young makes laborious 63 before Northamptonshire lose late wickets at Essex

Beaten - Essex lost by 10 wickets against Warwickshire despite Simon Harmer scoring 75 not out in the second innings Picture: TGS PHOTOS

Warwickshire hammer Essex to get title defence up and running

Struggling - Essex are battling to avoid defeat in a gripping LV= Insurance County Championship match at Edgbaston

Dan Lawrence aids Essex rearguard despite injury as Warwickshire chase win

On top - Warwickshire are currently in control against Essex

Michael Burgess gives Warwickshire control over Essex at Edgbaston

Tough day - for Essex at Warwickshire Pictures: TGS PHOTOS

Lawrence suffers hamstring injury in tough opening day for Essex

Playing a key part - Adam Rossington kept his head in a crisis to guide Essex to victory at Somerset

Rossington keeps his head as Essex edge past Somerset in Taunton thriller

Career best figures - Craig Overton impressed with the ball against Essex

Overton checks Essex’s progress at Taunton

Impressive - Alastair Cook has passed 25,000 first class runs

Cook reaches another milestone as Essex dominate opening day

New role - for former Essex coach Chris Silverwood

Former Essex coach Silverwood gets new role in international cricket

Fully involved - Dan Lawrence showed his worth with the ball for Essex Pic: GAVIN ELLIS/TGS PHOTOS

Dan Lawrence shows worth with the ball as Essex play out a tame draw with Kent

Heading for a draw - Kent ended day three on 405/5 Pics: GAVIN ELLIS/TGS PHOTOS

Denis Compton’s grandson Ben hits first County Championship century for Kent at Essex

Good day - Essex made 514 in their innings before Kent finished on 122/1

Debutant Matt Critchley joins the Essex centurions in opener against Kent

Great start - Sir Alastair Cook and Nick Browne both centuries on the opening day of the season against Kent Picture: TGS PHOTOS

Alastair Cook and Nick Browne put on 220-run stand for Essex against Kent

Excited - Essex skipper Tom Westley is looking forward to the start of the new season which gets underway today Picture: TGS PHOTOS

Essex skipper Westley excited for the start of new season

Star - Andy Ducat achieved incredible success in both football and cricket during a brilliant career which is the subject of a new book

The remarkable story of Southend's sport star Andy Ducat

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne dies aged 52 of 'suspected heart attack'

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne dies aged 52 of 'suspected heart attack'

Looking to make up for lost time - Essex star Dan Lawrence

Dan Lawrence ready to put Ashes frustration aside and press case in West Indies

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Charged - Essex have been charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board with bringing the game into disrepute in relation to an alleged racist comment made at a board meeting five years ago.

Essex charged by ECB with bringing game into disrepute

Gone - Chris Silverwood has left his position as England head coach following a dismal Ashes campaign

Chris Silverwood leaves England head coach role following dismal Ashes campaign

Frustrated - Essex star Alastair Cook feels England have hit rock bottom following their humiliating 4-0 defeat in the Ashes Picture: TSG PHOTOS

Alastair feels England have hit 'rock bottom'

Called upon - Essex head coach Anthony McGrath has been appointed as England’s batting coach for the forthcoming Twenty20 international series away against the West Indies.

Essex's McGrath appointed England batting coach for forthcoming series

Uncertain future - for England head coach Chris Silverwood

England head coach Chris Silverwood unsure what future holds after Ashes rout

Staying put - Essex spinner Simon Harmer has signed a new contract Picture: TGS PHOTOS

Harmer hungry for more success after signing new deal at Essex

New deal - bowler Ben Allison has signed a new contact at Essex

Trio sign new contracts at Essex

Speaking out - Jahid Ahmed has become the latest former Essex player to allege that he was the subject of racist abuse while playing for the club

Jahid Ahmed becomes third former player to make allegations of racism at Essex

Zoheb Sharif discussed his experiences of racism at Essex County Cricket Club in an interview on Good Morning Britain (Good Morning Britain/ITV)

Zoheb Sharif shared Essex County Cricket Club racism experience in GMB interview

Speaking out - former Essex player Maurice Chambers

‘Appalled’ ECB vows to investigate fresh racism claims by former Essex player Maurice Chambers

Speaking out - former Essex batter batter Zoheb Sharif

Essex ‘shocked and saddened’ as Zoheb Sharif says he was nicknamed ‘bomber’

Stepping down - John Faragher has resigned from his role as Essex chair with immediate effect

Essex chairman resigns over historical allegation of racist language

Call up - Essex seamer Sam Cook has been included in the England Lions squad

Essex seamer Sam Cook added to England Lions squad

New arrival - Essex have signed all rounder Matt Critchley

Matt Critchley aiming for England call-up after leaving Derbyshire for Essex

Not happy - Essex were crowned Division Two champions but will not be celebrating

A final look at Essex's season and why they won't be celebrating their latest success

Success - Essex have been crowned division two champions after victory over Northants Picture: TGS PHOTO

Essex are crowned division two champions after thrashing Northants

Twenty-five wickets fall on crazy opening day for Essex

Twenty-five wickets fall on crazy opening day for Essex

Match drawn - Essex were forced to accept a final day draw in their LV= Insurance County Championship match at the Kia Oval

Hashim Amla helps Surrey draw their Championship game with Essex

End of an era - Ryan ten Doeschate has decided to retire from the game

Tributes paid to Essex legend Ryan ten Doeschate after his decision to retire

Doing well - Essex bowler Jamie Porter took another two wickets

Surrey end day two 107 for seven in reply to Essex’s 439

Great innings - Sir Alastair Cook ended the day on 140 not out

Sir Alastair Cook inspires with ton as Essex take charge away to Surrey

Determined - Essex are keen to finish the season in style Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex determined to finish the season in style

Good win - Essex maintained their top spot in Division Two with an innings and three-run victory over Gloucestershire Pictures: GAVIN ELLIS

Harmer finishes off Gloucestershire before lunch as Essex retain top spot

Celebration time - Essex are firmly on top against Gloucestershire Picture: GAVIN ELLIS

Essex remain on top against Gloucestershire