Essex seize control thanks to bowling trio

Essex v Gloucestershire – LV=Insurance County Championship – The Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford – Day One – Summary

Gloucestershire 76 (28.0 overs)

Essex 150/5 (68.0 overs)

Essex won the toss and elected to bowl

Essex lead by 74 runs with five first-innings wickets still standing

The tried and tested trio of Jamie Porter, Sam Cook and Simon Harmer did the damage, paving the way for Essex to establish a sizable advantage on day one of their LV=Insurance County Championship Division Two encounter at Chelmsford.

Porter took 4/32, while Cook snared 3/27 and Harmer an impressive 3/2 as the host skittled visitors Gloucestershire for just 76 – Ryan Higgins with 25, saving his side from further embarrassment.

Nevertheless, the Essex top order did little to enhance its reputation. Paul Walter salvaged the situation, finishing unbeaten on 71 at stumps and helping his side to a 74 run lead – David Payne with 2/43 for Gloucestershire who already looks a long way from home. Play resumes on Monday at 10:30am.

Essex: NLJ Browne, AN Cook, T Westley (Capt), MS Pepper, PI Walter, JS Rymell, AJA Wheater (WK), SR Harmer, S Snater, SJ Cook, JA Porter

Gloucestershire: CDJ Dent (Capt), JR Bracey (WK), BG Charlesworth, TC Lace, GL van Buuren, MAH Hammond, RF Higgins, ZG Khan, OJ Price, TJ Price, DA Payne

Umpires: NL Bainton and T Lungley

Scorers: AE Choat and AJ Bull

Match Referee: Will Smith