Oh Ed that’s a stupid shot.

Awful dismissal from Barnard. Not at all needed.

Might not even get a lead here... And if you look around the grounds no-one has had a good innings with the bat in Div 1.

Makes their 8th wicket partner even more mystifying

Players seem comfortable off their legs but not outside off stump.

Even by the standards of county cricket commentators this Essex old boy is eccentric!

Yes, at 33-7 we looked to boss this game for the duration, now we need our 2 most experienced players to get us somewhere. Somerset are 3 down and Notts 8 down so maybe it could be a case of no batting bonus points and then a case of who grabs their respective game by the throat and wins it. At the moment, I wouldn't put money on any of the top 3.

Somerset 4 down.

Awful decision, he was nowhere near it.

Id have a slog now and declare overnight

Suthar got a shocker

Quite delicately poised in all games. Ours feels quite in the balance but we’re probably in the most dominant position of all the challengers.

Suspect we won’t but I wish we would declare now!

Definitely quite evenly poised. I think Notts are in the strongest position though, only one who can still realistically get a batting BP - though it could be that is the best pitch around.

cjav1874 wrote:

Quite delicately poised in all games. Ours feels quite in the balance but we’re probably in the most dominant position of all the challengers.

122 wickets fell today across both divisions, second most ever on day one.

I know it’s all hypothetical but I hope the unavailability of our overseas batsman does not come to haunt us. It is challenging conditions like yesterday that you want your experienced and class players to stand up and make the difference, in the way that again did.

One would have hoped Young would have scored more than the five that Malik managed. In a low scoring game that could have made a big difference!

Anything been said about Shane Snater? Is he out of the game?

Andy wrote:

Anything been said about Shane Snater? Is he out of the game?

Two Essex subs - westley and Snater out

Just seen, cheers. Benkenstein and Auld (FC debut) in.

Looks like Olly is doing what he does best - blocking in support of his batting partner. Developing into what could be a useful lead.

Hain did this v Essex in the game batting with Gilchrist for the last wicket.