LIAM Dawson needed only three balls to take his first wicket for Essex.
The Hampshire all-rounder trapped Lancashire’s Alviro Petersen with his third delivery after joining Essex on a month’s loan.
Slow left-armer Dawson then bowled former South Africa left-hander Ashwell Prince with the first ball of his fourth over - a second successive maiden - as Essex reduced the second division LV County Championship leaders to 92-4 on a rain-affected opening day at Old Trafford.
Dawson, who requested a loan move after being dropped from Hampshire’s Championship side, had 2-7 from 4.4 overs when rain restricted his first day as an Essex player to 25.4 overs, with the home side 96-4.
He bowled third change after rookie seamer Jamie Porter dismissed Lancashire’s openers.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here