Essex edge upward

Essex 120 for 7 (45 overs). Walker 29, Masters 19.

A chance of an immediate breakthrough was missed when Phillips, on 0, edged Tahir but Ambrose dropped the chance. Philips lasted another 25 minutes before bat-padding Rankin to Ord at short-leg.

Walker, often a thorn in Warwickshire's side, is playing a good hand for his side and Masters has struck four boundaries in a dangerous counter-attack.

The field adjacent to the ground is awash with seagulls.