Lancashire’s match-winning duo Glen Chapple and Kyle Hogg struggled to comprehend a historic third day’s play at Chelmsford following their innings-victory against Essex.
Chapple bagged 5-9 while Hogg picked up 4-11 in a devastating spell of bowling to dismiss the hosts for 20, their lowest first-class total.
It took the Lancashire pair just 68 minutes to run through a woeful batting display, but it may take a bit longer for the opening bowling partners to appreciate their miraculous efforts.
Chapple said: “There's no point trying to explain what happened. Everything that could have gone for us did so.
"We know that wickets fall quickly because the new man is under pressure, but you don't often see the whole team succumbing in that sense. I'm sure they'll be pretty gutted about it, but we're delighted.
“In the context of the season, it's a fantastic result for us."
Earlier in the day, the Lancashire skipper added 69 for the eighth wicket with Hogg to give the visitors a handy first-innings lead.
Both men made half-centuries to help the Red Rose reach 398 all out in reply to Essex’s 273, and Hogg believes their alliance with the bat proved to be the turning point.
“They were still in the game in the morning,” said Hogg. “We were seven down, but we batted well and that partnership at the end really knocked the stuffing out of them.
“After getting two wickets straightaway, it was weird watching it.
“We knew if we knocked a few over early on, they'd be under pressure big time.”
He continued: “We bowled well, but when you get the first two caught at mid-off, it probably sends the wrong message to the dressing room.
“They'd been out there in the field for 120 overs, but they were under pressure immediately. We were on fire.”
“We've been involved in a piece of history,” he added. “That's what you play the game for.”
Essex, meanwhile, have been left to nurse their wounds, with Ryan ten Doeschate admitting it had been a crushing blow.
"It was a nightmare; there's no other way of describing it," he stated.
"We have to acknowledge some really good bowling by the Lancashire pair but that batting performance from ourselves is really not acceptable.
“I can't give you a good reason for why we were bowled out for 20.”