The Lunchtime Situation

Essex 263 for 3 (59 overs). Pettini 7, Foster 8.

Salisbury eventually removed both century-makers, Bopara, for 133, to a smart leg-break which Ambrose, who has kept very well in this game, accepted via the outside-edge, and Maunders, for 105, when he swept to Troughton at square-leg.

Essex are 90 in front with 65 overs remaining. Their lack of adventure in the first hour this morning has left them needing two miraculous sessions to win from here.