Winning the toss, skipper, Will Luxton, asked Essex to bat first.
Ben Cliff and Tom Loten produced a fine opening spell that saw Loten on a hat trick as he bowled Browne for five and Rymell caught in the slips. However Roelofsen and Khushi remained unbeaten at lunch having taken the score to 118-2 both having reached their half centuries from 75 and 64 balls respectively.
Post lunch they took their partnership to 149 from 217 balls before Roelofsen was well taken at slip by Will Fraine for 75 from the bowling of Noah Priestley. Benkenstein joined Khushi and 39 was added before the latter was caught at mid wicket by Gary Ballance for 95 from 138 balls and shortly after Richards was bowled by Clarke Doughney and Essex were 207-5 – tea was taken soon after at 231-5.
Loten struck again after tea 246-6 as Benkenstein was caught at mid on for 36. Gorantla was 28 not out from 47 balls but added 54 in his next 18 balls reaching his 50 from 56 balls and he proceeded to reach his century from 90 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes.
No further wickets fell and the day closed with Essex 399-6.
John Virr – 2nd XI Scorer
