Even a brilliant century from Ronnie Irani failed to save Essex from another crushing defeat when they met Lancashire in their Totesport League clash at Old Trafford.

Irani, returning to the ground where he first embarked upon a professional career well over a decade ago, struck an unbeaten 102 from 130 balls to lead his county to 185 for seven.

But his valiant effort went unrewarded as the Northerners, on the back of an unbroken century partnership involving Mark Chilton and Carl Hooper, romped home with seven wickets and six overs to spare to leave Essex in even deeper relegation trouble.

It will certainly need a remarkable transformation in their form over the next six matches if they are to avoid dropping into the Second Division and on the evidence of this latest display there are no grounds for optimism.

Irani is the only recognised batsman who has shown any consistent form over the last month while the bowlers not only lack penetration but accuracy and ability to keep things remotely tight.

The fact they have captured only five wickets in the last three one-day games, including two Twenty20 clashes, is ample testimony to that depressing shortcoming.

Essex were in disarray before some spectators had settled into their seats.

Andy Flower was bowled in James Anderson's opening over without a run on the board, while the combination of wicketkeeper Jamie Haynes and Glen Chapple removed Graham Napier and Ravinder Bopara to leave them 13 for three in the sixth over.

Irani could only watch from the other end in some disbelief as these wickets crashed but at least he was to find some sort of support in the form of Paul Grayson to prevent a rout.

They stayed together for 22 overs in adding 76 before Grayson was superbly caught at wide mid-off for 28 while attacking the spin of Mongia.

Mark Pettini then arrived on the scene to make 27 but it was Irani who excelled. He never found himself in a position where he could really chance his arm as often as he would like because of the steady clatter of wickets at the other end.

But occasionally he did open his broad shoulders to take the aerial route and collect three sixes to go with eight fours which helped to keep his side afloat.

The rest of his colleagues,were never able to get anywhere near to matching his assurance against an attack in which all three spinners used -- Mongia, Hooper and Gary Keedy -- bowled their full allocation of overs.

Published Monday July 19, 2004

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