LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Chelmsford:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Essex 176, Lancashire 83-3
Lancs 3pts Essex 1pt
Match scorecard

Anderson unsuccessfully appeals for the wicket of Ryan ten Doeschate

England paceman James Anderson proved his fitness after a troublesome knee injury with 6-44 as Essex were bowled out for 176 on day one at Chelmsford.

A devastating new-ball burst by Anderson and Glen Chapple (3-30) left the home side reeling at 16-4 after being put into bat.

Only all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate resisted for Essex with an unbeaten 55.

Anderson, in as nightwatchman after Stephen Moore was out for 61, then made a duck as Lancashire closed on 83-3.

It was an all-action day for Anderson, who quickly announced his arrival by having Billy Godleman and England team-mate Alastair Cook caught in the slips in his second and third overs on his way to his best County Championship figures since 2002.

And he was given plenty of support from Chapple, whose inswing trapped both John Maunders and Jaik Mickleburgh leg before to leave the home side deep in trouble.

Essex captain Mark Pettini and James Foster led a recovery of sorts with a partnership of 62 but both fell before lunch, Foster slashing Saj Mahmood to backward point and Pettini edging Anderson to second slip.

But after two more wickets fell cheaply, Lancashire encountered some fierce resistance from Chris Wright and ten Doeschate, who added 70 in 27 overs before Anderson wrapped up the tail.

Cook put down a straightforward chance off Tom Smith in the opening over of Lancashire's reply but his reprieve was brief as he soon fell lbw to David Masters.

Moore was soon in his stride, reaching his half-century in 37 balls, but after he departed lbw to one that kept low from Maurice Chambers, Anderson took his turn to bat and lasted just six balls before edging Masters into the slips.

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