Bears in charge but NOT in for Bopara

Essex 67 for 7 (23 overs). Walker 20, McGain 0.

Clarke trapped Foster lbw for 3 then had Phillips caught by Westwood at third slip for nine. Rankin struck with his first ball which Masters, on 5, edged to Ambrose.

The ball has swung but it certainly doesn't look a 67 for 7 pitch. Carter bowled for 95 minutes, superbly, for 11-2-33-3.

Ashley Giles has popped into the press tent to state categorically that Warwickshire have not put in an approach for Bopara. Essex have confirmed this.

Giles has taken the matter up with the newspaper in question.

Have to say I was guilty of passing on info without checking - poor journalism and even more culpable when that info was in the Daily Mail.