Faulkner bounces back, Hilfenhaus sent home

James Faulkner has bounced back from a disappointing week off the field with a starring role for English county side Lancashire, but state teammate Ben Hilfenhaus has returned home after picking up an injury.

The 25-year-old World Cup final man of the match hit a half-century and took a first-innings five-wicket haul in a rain-affected drawn match against Essex.

The wet weather meant Lancashire’s first innings was spread over three days, but it didn't stop Faulkner posting a patient 68 batting at No.8.

His near three-hour stay at the crease lasted 121 deliveries and included five boundaries.

Faulkner then played a starring role with the ball, taking 5-39 in 17 overs as Essex crumbled to be all out for 203 in reply to 402.

It was Faulkner’s first match since being charged with drink-driving by Greater Manchester Police after recording a blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit for driving in the UK.

After having England batsman Ravi Bopara caught behind for six in his second over, the left-armer removed New Zealand allrounder Jesse Ryder and Netherlands international Ryan ten Doeschate in the space of three deliveries to have figures of 3-9 from four overs.

He returned later in the innings to remove former England wicketkeeper James Foster and South Africa-born allrounder Greg Smith to help rip through the visitors and enable Lancashire to enforce the follow on.

But the time lost to rain and an improved performance from Essex's batsmen – they finished on 3-168 in their second innings, with Faulkner taking 0-30 from 11 overs – saw the match drawn.

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Hilfenhaus in action for Notts this winter // Getty Images

Meanwhile, Hilfenhaus will head back to Australia this weekend after being ruled out for up to six weeks with a hip injury he picked up playing for Nottinghamshire.

"Disappointing for Ben who gave everything during his time with us and disappointing for Notts because we wanted him to become a key player between now and the end of the season," said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

"The injury will rule him out for around six weeks so, between ourselves and the player, we've decided it's best for him to return home early.

"It means we can look to bring in a replacement should a player of sufficient quality become available, and it allows Ben to focus on being fully fit for the Australian season with Tasmania."

The star performer of the week in county cricket was Pakistani bowler Saeed Ajmal, who took match figures of 8-100 in Worcestershire's innings victory over Hampshire at New Road.

After the home side racked up 478 in their first innings thanks to an unbeaten 206 from opener Daryl Mitchell, Ajmal took 5-28 from 17 overs to help rout Hampshire for 183.

He then took 3-72 in Hampshire’s second innings after the visitors were asked to follow-on, signalling the off-spinner's best performance since he underwent remedial work on his bowling action after he was banned by the ICC for an illegal action last year.

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