Essex v Warwickshire
Specsavers County Championship
Saturday 13 July – Tuesday 16 July
Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford
Essex Team: Nick Browne, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley, Dan Lawrence, Rishi Patel, Ryan ten Doeschate (c), Adam Wheater (wk), Simon Harmer, Peter Siddle, Aaron Beard, Matt Quinn
Warwickshire Team: Liam Banks, Will Rhodes, Rob Yates, Adam Hose, Dan Mousley, Tim Ambrose(wk), Michael Burgess, Henry Brookes, Jeetan Patel(c), Olly Stone, Oliver Hannon-Dalby
Toss: Uncontested, Warwickshire elected to bowl.
Umpires: Paul Baldwin & Steve O’Shaughnessy
Result:
Day Four Reaction: Ryan ten Doeschate
Day Four: End of Match Report
Simon Harmer collected his seventh haul of five or more wickets in an innings this season as Essex thrashed Warwickshire by 187 runs to move to the top of the Specsavers County Championship Division One table.
The South African born bowler spun his way to figures of 6 for 75 as the visitors were bowled out for 213 after resuming the day on 67 for 1.
Peter Siddle made the first breakthrough of the morning with the help of Tom Westley in the slips. Shortly after Liam Banks had completed his maiden half-century with the help of seven boundaries, he departed six balls later to pave the way for Harmer to make rapid inroads into the innings.
In the space of 20 deliveries, Harmer claimed four wickets for only two runs, starting with Rob Yates and Dan Mousley with successive deliveries.
Both were gobbled up at slip by Alastair Cook before Tim Ambrose and Adam Hose soon became further victims of the South African.
Ambrose was caught around the corner by Dan Lawrence for 8 whilst Hose, having scored 13, swept a delivery to Rishi Patel at mid-wicket.
That left Warwickshire reeling at 163 for 7 before a few defiant blows from Michael Burgess and Henry Brookes were to give the Warwickshire total a more respectable look.
Brookes twice punished Harmer for six and also hit two fours during his 27 until Matt Quinn arrived to have him caught behind by Will Buttleman who found himself deputising for wicket-keeper Adam Wheater. The first choice keeper remained in the Pavilion of Day Four nursing a thumb injury sustained on the previous day.
Peter Siddle ended the brief resistance of Jeetan Patel as Harmer accepted a catch in the slips and then the spinner completed his five wicket haul when Ollie Stone edged a ball through to Buttleman.
Michael Burgess continued to go bravely for his shots and was the last man out for 64 from 69 balls with the aid of seven fours and three sixes.
Burgess was stumped giving Harmer the charge as Buttleman confirmed his promise with a highly competent performance.
With match figures of 8 for 43, Harmer has now claimed 65 Championship wickets whilst Siddle’s seven wickets take his tally to 34 in the competition.
The win was completed with more than a session and a half remaining and Essex emerged with 20 points to move to the top of the table after Somerset gained just one point from their defeat against Yorkshire. With four Championship matches remaining, Essex now hold a four point advantage with both counties having played the same number of games.
Day Four: Lunch Report
A devastating spell of bowling by Simon Harmer has put Essex on the cusp of victory, a win that would allow them to leapfrog Somerset and take over as leaders of Specsavers County Championship Division One.
Off-spinner Harmer took 4 wickets in 20 balls at a personal cost of just 2 runs as Warwickshire lost six wickets in the morning session to reach the interval on 171 for 7, still 230 runs short of their target.
Liam Banks had collected the 14 runs he required to add to his overnight score to bring up his maiden first-class half-century which spanned 81 balls. However, six balls later he became Peter Siddle’s sixth wicket of the match when he edged to Tom Westley at third slip.
That left Warwickshire 83 for 2. Siddle was replaced by Aaron Beard and four runs later, the bowler might have claimed a wicket in his first over when he found the edge of the bat of Adam Hose but Harmer was unable to complete the catch at second slip. However, Hose’s ‘additional life’ was to be short-lived.
Harmer quickly made amends for his dropped catch by having Yates and Mousley caught by Alastair Cook at first slip for 13 and 0 respectively, before Tim Ambrose went soon after, caught by Dan Lawrence in the leg trap for 8.
Hose, who had got off the mark when he was dropped, had advanced his score to 13 when he swept a ball to Rishi Patel at mid-wicket to give Harmer his revenge and redemption.
Michael Burgess and Henry Brookes added a quickfire 51 in 9 overs before Matt Quinn had Brookes caught down the leg side by substitute wicket-keeper Will Buttleman for 27 runs, shortly before the lunch break.
It left Burgess 29 not out at the interval with Jeetan Patel on 2 unbeaten and Harmer with figures of 4 for 55.
With Somerset losing to Yorkshire earlier in the day, Essex will top the table by 4 points if they can secure the win against Warwickshire.
Day Three: Match Highlights
Day Three Reaction: Dan Lawrence
Day Three: Close of Play Report
Essex still have plenty of hard work ahead if they are to beat Warwickshire and move closer to the Championship top spot.
After leaving the Bears a daunting task of scoring 401 for victory, the visitors reached 67 for 1 at the Close with Liam Banks unbeaten on 36 and Rob Yates 4 not out.
Essex had declared the second innings on 316 for 9 shortly after Tea to leave themselves nearly four sessions to carve out a fifth successive victory.
As on the opening day, the Essex innings owed much to Alastair Cook and Dan Lawrence as they again posted half-centuries.
Cook, when once more within touching distance of his hundred, fell lbw to Will Rhodes for 83 after hitting 11 boundaries in his 168-ball stay, while Lawrence was caught behind immediately after tea for 74 that also included 11 fours.
He, too, was a victim of Rhodes who went on to finish with 4 for 38 and claim match figures of 9 for 55.
Essex had resumed the day on 73 for 1 and had advanced to 135 before Cook was removed from the scene.
In the same over, Tom Westley was caught behind whilst in the next, spinner Jeetan Patel ended the obdurate resistance of nightwatchman, Matt Quinn.
He hung around while making 9 from 69 deliveries as the county slumped to 139 for 4.
And the decline continued when Rishi Patel and Ryan ten Doeschate were sent back for 15 and 5 respectively before Lawrence and Adam Wheater raised the 200.
Wheater became another Patel victim for 21 shortly afterwards before Lawrence, who excelled with some fine driving, and the aggression of Simon Harmer halted the slump.
They added 84 before both were despatched back to the Pavilion without addition to the tea score of 299 for 7.
Lawrence was the first to fall on his sword while Harmer was seven short of his half-century when Patel had him caught on the boundary edge at long-on.
The declaration quickly followed but Essex hopes of making quick inroads into the Warwickshire innings were to evaporate as Rhodes and Banks provided backbone and discipline, qualities that were lacking in the visitors first time around.
They put on 56 before Aaron Beard struck in his second over to trap Rhodes leg before wicket for 25.
Banks and Yates steered clear of further trouble before the close on a day when Will Buttleman was summoned to take over behind the stumps because Wheater was feeling the effects of a thumb injury sustained on the second day.
Day Three: Tea Report
Dan Lawrence scored an unbeaten half-century to steer Essex to 299 for 7, representing an overall lead of 383 runs at tea.
Lawrence reached 50 for the second time in the match when he struck a cover drive off Henry Brookes to post a seventh boundary of his innings which allowed him to celebrate his half-century. Boundaries followed of the next two deliveries from Brookes, both straight drives, one on the leg side and then past mid-off.
Essex had lost the wicket of Rishi Patel to the first ball after lunch when the 20-year-old looped a catch to second slip to give Brookes the first of two wickets in an over.
With the final ball of the over, Ryan ten Doeschate (5) lost his middle stump to leave the home side 177 for 6.
Adam Wheater batted enterprisingly but having contributed 21 of a 38-run partnership with Lawrence, Wheater reverse swept a ball from Jeetan Patel and was caught in the slips.
Lawrence continued to play in an uncomplicated manner and effortlessly executed some well-timed drives and wristy stroke play.
The middle order batsman was joined in an unbroken partnership with Simon Harmer as the pair capitalised on anything loose whilst keeping the scoreboard ticking, adding some well-judged singles.
At tea, Lawrence had collected 11 boundaries in his unbeaten 74 whilst Harmer was 43 not out that included 5 boundaries and 1 six.
Day Three: Lunch Report
Alastair Cook played a significant innings, assisting Essex to reach 169 for 4 at lunch and representing an overall lead of 253 runs over opponents Warwickshire at The Cloudfm County Ground.
The opener, having resumed play on his overnight 34, arrived at his half-century from 123 balls with the sixth boundary of his innings and continued to assert his authority, driving and cutting freely.
A century appeared on the cards but for the second time in the match, he was undone by medium-pacer Will Rhodes. Cook, who had scored 84 in the Essex first innings, was 83 in his second visit to the crease and having increased his boundary count to 11, he stepped across a delivery from Rhodes and was adjudged leg before wicket.
That brought to an end his 63 run partnership in 26 overs with night watchman Matt Quinn.
Rhodes then claimed the second of his two wickets in the space of six deliveries, when he had Tom Westley snapped up by wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose for 4. This left the bowler with figures of 3 for 10 after removing Nick Browne the previous evening.
Without addition to the total of 139, Matthew Quinn, who had been a study in studious watchfulness having batted for 99 minutes and faced 69 balls for his 9 runs, pushed forward but could only edge through to Tim Ambrose off the bowling of Jeetan Patel.
Dan Lawrence and Rishi Patel avoided any further mishaps for the home side and they will resume after lunch, both with 15 runs to their credit.
Day Two: Match Highlights
Day Two Reaction: Matt Quinn
Day Two: Close of Play Report
Peter Siddle was instrumental in bowling title-chasing Essex into a commanding position in the Championship clash with Warwickshire at The Cloudfm County Ground.
The Australian fast bowler returned 5 for 33 from 17 hostile overs as the visitors were bowled out for 161.
This gave Essex a first innings lead of 84 to which they added a further 73 for 1 before the close to leave them firm favourites to go on and record their fifth successive victory.
Warwickshire’s only partnership of note featured Tim Ambrose and Michael Burgess, who shared in a stand of 64 after coming together at 62 for five.
But both were to depart in the same Siddle over as Tom Westley pocketed two catches. Ambrose was first to go for 38 while Burgess departed three balls later for 35.
It was Siddle who gained the first breakthrough when he trapped Will Rhodes in front of his stumps with only 6 on the board and later got rid of Henry Brookes and Ollie Stone to celebrate his second five-wicket haul of the summer.
Aaron Beard and off-spinner Simon Harmer finished with 2 for 18 and 2 for 68 respectively while Matt Qin picked up the other wicket at a cost of 33 runs.
The morning session proved a turgid affair with only 57 runs scored from 30 overs during which four wickets fell.
Rob Yates departed five runs later, an lbw victim of Harmer after a painstaking 32 that had consumed 92 deliveries, to pave the way for Ambrose and Burgess to inject some welcome aggression.
Between them, they gathered 13 boundaries before Siddle roared in to remove them both and firmly handing back the initiative to the home side.
Alastair Cook and Nick Browne were to ensure the efforts of Siddle and co were not wasted as Essex tightened their grip on the game.
Without looking in any trouble, the openers extended the county’s overall lead to beyond 150 runs while putting together their fifth half-century partnership of the season.
But the arrival of Rhodes, who collected five wickets in the first innings, was to break the stand when it had produced 72 runs.
With the second legitimate delivery of his opening over, the previous ball had been called wide, he trapped Browne lbw for 38 leaving Cook and nightwatchman Matt Quinn to take Essex safely to the close.
Cook will resume the third day on 33 with Quinn still to get off the mark and leaving Essex enjoying an overall advantage of 157 runs.
Day Two: Tea Report
Essex gained a first innings lead of 84 runs after dismissing Warwickshire for 161 with Peter Siddle returning figures of 5 for 33, his second 5-fer of the Championship campaign.
The Australian pace bowler was rewarded for his admirable and consistent line and length taking four of the six wickets to fall after lunch whilst Aaron Beard and Simon Harmer chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Harmer needed only 15 deliveries of the post-lunch session to account for Rob Yates whose intended sweep ended with a leg before wicket decision against him to end his innings of 32.
Michael Burgess joined Tim Ambrose and the pair looked increasingly comfortable as they posted a half-century stand in 98 balls. They had carried the visitor’s score onto 126 when Siddle claimed both batsmen within four balls and with the assistance of Tom Westley.
Ambrose, on 38, was the first to go when he edged a ball that found extra bounce into the hands of second slip to leave Warwickshire 126-6. One run and three balls later, Burgess on 35, drove the ball to Westley, now stationed at mid-off where the fielder took a comfortable catch.
Siddle, using a good variety of pace, then struck twice in six deliveries with the total on 134. Henry Brookes popped a catch up to Ryan ten Doeschate at short leg whilst Ollie Stone edged behind where Adam Wheater completed the catch.
The last wicket added 27 runs in three overs before Jeetan Patel, who had scored 23 runs, had his stumps re-arranged by Beard.
Tea was then taken leaving Essex to face 29 overs in the final session of the day.
Day Two: Lunch Report
Replying to the Essex first innings total of 245 all out, Warwickshire reached Lunch on 57-4 from 30 overs on an attritional morning ‘s play with each of the four bowlers used by the home side all claiming a wicket.
Rob Yates has frustrated hopes of further progress for Essex after they claimed four wickets in 22 overs for 33 runs. The 19-year-old survived by virtue of disciplined batting to reach the break on 31 with Tom Ambrose 9 not out.
Peter Siddle found the breakthrough in his third over when he nipped a delivery across Will Rhodes, who had scored five of the six runs on the board and gained the lbw verdict.
Liam Banks fell in the next over when he was bowled by Matt Quinn for 8 and with the score on 21, Aaron Beard joined the attack to replace Siddle.
With his second delivery, he accounted for Adam Hose when the batsman, who had spent 35 minutes at the crease and faced 25 balls in an unsuccessful attempt to get off the mark, rocked back to drive outside off but was caught by Alastair Cook at first slip.
Twelve runs later, Simon Harmer joined the list of wicket-takers as he collected Championship victim number 58 for the season and 42nd at Chelmsford when debutant Dan Mousley was removed. The batsman, who celebrated his 18th birthday last week, had scored 3 when he nicked a catch to Adam Wheater.
That left Yates and Ambrose with half an hour to negotiate until lunch despite the attacking close-set field and occasional deliveries that passed the outside of the bat.
At lunch, Siddle had figures of 1 for 11, Quinn 1 for 16, Harmer 1 for 19 and Beard 1 for 9.
Day One: Match Highlights
Day One Reaction: Andre Nel
Day One: Close of Play Report
Essex were victims of a dramatic collapse as they were bowled out for 245 by Championship rivals Warwickshire at The Cloudfm County Ground.
After reaching 157-2 following an uncontested toss, they lost their remaining eight wickets for 88 runs as their middle order failed to make an impact.
Despite the early loss of Nick Browne and Tom Westley to Henry Brookes, Essex had looked poised for a substantial total as Alastair Cook and Dan Lawrence put together a century partnership without looking in any trouble.
But Essex were put on the slippery slope by Will Rhodes, who spent a spell on loan at Chelmsford from Yorkshire three years ago. The medium-pace bowler returned career-best figures of 5-17 from 14.3 overs to seize the initiative away from the hosts.
In the space of 26 balls, he captured four wickets for only two runs, starting with the removal of Cook for 84 after his stand with Lawrence produced 116 in 39 overs.
Cook, who was playing his 300th first-class game, had looked set for his second Championship century of the campaign when he tamely placed a catch into the hands of Jeetan Patel in the gully after gathering 11 fours in his 195-ball stay.
Rhodes then snared Lawrence with another wide delivery, that ended in the gloves of Tim Ambrose. Lawrence contributed 61, with nine fours and a six, from 105 deliveries and he was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Rishi Patel and Adam Wheater during Rhodes destructive spell.
When Simon Harmer fell leg before to Oliver Hannon-Dalby for a duck with the total on 178, it meant Essex had lost five wickets in 11 overs while adding 21 runs.
Ryan ten Doeschate (26) and Peter Siddle (17) did offer some resistance that saw them complete the home side’s solitary batting point, before Aaron Beard and Matt Quinn put together the second highest stand of the innings, an effort that saw them add 34 for the last wicket.
But the return of Rhodes brought the innings to a close when he had Beard caught behind for 29.
Day One: Tea Report
Alastair Cook and Dan Lawrence both posted half-centuries as they combined for a third-wicket partnership worth 116 runs but then both were dismissed within four overs as the home side reached the break on 169-4.
Cook scored 84 and Lawrence 61 before both were caught off the bowling of medium-pacer Will Rhodes. They had flourished during the afternoon session by virtue of a series of responsible strokeplay that included cleanly struck drives and cuts.
Cook arrived at his fifth Championship half-century, one of which he had turned to three figures, having faced 122 balls that included 7 fours, whilst Lawrence needed only 68 balls to reach the milestone.
The pair had seemed untroubled but the return of Will Rhodes into the attack was to prove their downfall as they chased wider deliveries outside off stump.
The bowler, who spent a brief period on loan with Essex from Yorkshire in 2016, had only taken one wicket in the Championship this season but was to enjoy success with two wickets in 11 deliveries.
Cook dabbed but picked out Jeetan Patel at gully and then Lawrence pushed outside off and edged the ball through to wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose to leave Essex 164-4.
It left Rishi Patel and Ryan ten Doeschate to prevent further trouble with the pair arriving at tea with 1 and 5 respectively whilst Rhodes could reflect on his figures of 5-3-6-2.
Day One: Lunch Report
Alastair Cook batted throughout the morning session to reach 34 not out as Essex reached the Lunch break 73-2 in their County Championship clash with Warwickshire at The Cloudfm County Ground.
After an uncontested toss, the home side lost the wickets of Nick Browne and Tom Westley cheaply before Dan Lawrence arrived to join Cook to contribute 25 runs in an unbroken partnership of 32 by the interval.
Former England captain Cook, making his 300th first-class appearance, played with trademark responsibility and disciplined shot selection although pulling and driving freely when appropriate.
He had been the more aggressive of the opening pair in a steady partnership that had posted 27 in 14 overs before Browne was caught at backward point for 6 to give Henry Brookes the first of his two wickets.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby proved admirably economical conceding just 4 runs in a 7-overs opening spell of which six were maidens before Brookes was introduced into the attack.
And Brookes was to strike again when Tom Westley pulled a short delivery to mid-wicket where Michael Burgess, on Warwickshire debut, completed a staggering onehanded catch.
Westley had made 8 and his departure left the home side 41-2 but Lawrence, who timed the ball superbly, and Cook eased their side through to Lunch without further concerns.
Essex made one enforced change from the side that beat Yorkshire earlier this week with Matt Quinn called into the line-up to replace Jamie Porter who is on duty with the England Lions against Australia A.
Rishi Patel continues to deputise for Ravi Bopara who has been ruled out with a back problem.
