SIMON KATICH hit an unbeaten century as Lancashire ended day two of their LV= County Championship Division Two clash with Essex just seven runs behind with three wickets still remaining.
The City of Chelmsford festival continued today (Thursday) with Essex resuming on 268-8 in their first innings.
But they only added five more runs as Lancashire skipper Glen Chapple (3-47) dismissed Sajid Mahmood (23) and Reece Topley (1) to bring the Essex innings to a close on 273.
Lancashire openers Luke Procter and Luis Reece both fell early in the reply as the visitors were reduced to 41-2, before Ashwell Prince and Katich shared a 110-run third wicket stand.
Prince was caught behind by James Foster off the bowling of David Masters (2-33) for 56, before Graham Napier (3-85) dismissed Andrea Agathangelou and Steven Croft to reduce Lancashire to 165-5.
But Katich remained at the crease and progressed towards a fine century, even though Reece Topley (2-62) accounted for both Gareth Cross and Wayne White at the other end.
Katich was then joined by Kyle Hogg and went past his hundred, sharing an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 58 to guide Lancashire to 266-7 at the close of play.
The Australian will resume tomorrow (Friday) on 120 not out, while Hogg is unbeaten on 17.
Play resumes at 11am tomorrow (Friday).
