Dirty Den

Essex 73 for 4 (27 overs). Walker 5, Foster 11.

Warwickshire's bowlers, as they have all season, are fighting hard, superbly led, as they have been all season, by Carter.

Essex reached 33 for 0 but then, in successive overs, Pettini edged Rankin to Ambrose and Westley sliced Clarke to Westwood at third slip. At 55 for 2, Essex were inching towards a position of strength but Carter came back on to dismiss Bopara, caught behind driving loosely, and the obdurate Mickleburgh, lbw for 30.

This match has had flawed batting all over the place but will culminate in a fascinating denouement tomorrow.