Essex shot out for record-low 20 in English county game

Chelmsford: England may want to reconsider its pre-Ashes itinerary if the team wants a meaningful warm-up ahead of the test series against Australia. Essex, which plays England in a four-day match before the first Ashes test at Trent Bridge on July 10, was bowled out for 20 by Lancashire in an English second-division match on Friday — lower than the team’s previous worst total of 30 in 1901 against Yorkshire. [caption id=“attachment_872587” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Essex’s previous record for low score was 30 set in 1901. Getty[/caption] Six batsmen made ducks and the top score was 10 by opener Jaik Mickleburgh. Organizers say it’s the joint-seventh lowest score in county history and the lowest by any side since Surrey’s 14 against Essex in 1983. Lancashire won by an innings and 105 runs. AP