History

Close: Essex 333 for 8 (86 overs). Wright 18, Masters 0.

Ten Doeschate sliced a short ball from Martin into the slips just before the close but his 72 (133 balls, 9 fours) has given his side the ascendancy.

The last two overs were lopped off by bad light.

Intriguingly, Essex's top score was 72 (made by two players), their second-top score was 42 (also made by two players) and their third top -score was 21 (also made by two players). It is believed to be the first time ever this has occurred in a first-class cricket match.