The declaration has arrived.

Warwickshire 514 for 9 declared. They lead by 173.

The declaration came after Rankin's astute 46-minute knock was ended at 4 by an uprooted middle stump.

Frost remained unbeaten on 242 from 466 balls in 598 minutes with 30 fours and a six. Essex are under scoreboard pressure although perhaps the Bears allowed their innings to drift on a bit too long and it reached the stage, with Frost turning down singles, where they were achieving little other than eating into their own time to bowl Essex out.

Warwickshire's fitness regime really is strict, by the way. Even scorer David Wainwright is not allowed any chips!