Cuckoo clock

Close: Essex 125 for 1 (28 overs). Maunders 38, Bopara 81.

They are 48 behind.

Bopara has made merry after his reprieve and played some fine shots although he was fortunate, on 71, to escape with an attempted big hit at Salisbury which travelled just wide of slip's grasping fingers.

Clarke closed the day with an over of off-spin which included a waist-high full-toss, followed by a looping half-volley wide outside off-peg, to both of which Bopara meted out the punishment they deserved.

There is a bit of turn for Salisbury but, with the pitch easing, this is likely to be yet another draw. For the Bears, however, it's a case of job done, promotion-wise.