Khan tames Essex

CRICKET

Zaheer Khan recorded career-best figures of nine for 65 runs as Essex surrendered tamely in response to a mammoth Worcestershire total in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship Division Two match at Chelmsford.

Khan cemented his place as Division Two's leading wicket-taker, taking all the wickets to fall as Essex slumped to 186 for nine at the end of the second day in reply to Worcestershire's 650 for seven declared.

The 27-year-old Indian fast bowler tore the heart out of the Essex innings, finding prodigious swing which left the home batsmen shellshocked as nine wickets fell for 68 runs.

Varun Chopra and Mark Pettini had posted an opening partnership of 117 before Khan returned to the attack to begin a magnificent spell of swing bowling which left the Essex innings in ruins.

He had already seen Chopra dropped by Graeme Hick before he began his stunning destructive spell, taking nine wickets in 69 deliveries at a personal cost of 28 runs.

Chopra had just reached a 96-ball half-century when he was undone by a ball which straightened.

But it was the wicket of Pettini which sent subsequent wickets tumbling like dominoes.

The opener edged a ball that was angled across him behind the wicket and five balls later Andy Flower, yet to score, followed a ball to give Ben Smith a catch at first slip.

In Khan's next over, Ronnie Irani gave Stephen Davies a tumbling catch and two deliveries later, James Foster edged to first slip.

Ryan ten Doeschate gave Smith his third catch, while Tim Phillips was completely outfoxed by an inswinger.

Khan then found lift to account for Alex Tudor, caught at second slip and although Andre Adams resorted to an aggressive option, he fell leg before to the final ball of the day.