LIAM Norwell made a telling impact in the second innings against Essex to leave Gloucestershire on top in their County Championship Division Two match at Chelmsford.
Essex started their second innings trailing by 86 runs after the visitors had been bowled out for 245, and Norwell struck three times in rapid succession before Essex closed on 91 for four.
Those wickets came in an 11-ball spell costing just two runs. First, the right-arm paceman ended a promising stand when he had Nick Browne neatly snapped up at second slip by Chris Dent with the score on 42.
He then forced Jaik Mickleburgh to play on for 31 before 17-year-old Dan Lawrence was done for pace and trapped lbw with the total on 52.
Just before the arrears were cleared, Jesse Ryder drove against Matt Taylor to mid-off leaving James Foster and Kishen Velani to concentrate on defence before bad light curtailed play seven overs early.
The day’s early honours went to Essex after Gloucestershire had resumed at a healthy 77 without loss.
Will Tavare was bowled by Jamie Porter for 32 without addition to the total and in his next over, the pace bowler had Gareth Roderick well caught by wicket-keeper Foster diving to his left.
Essex opener Nick Browne shows his frustration after being dismissed by Liam Norwell for nine runs. Picture: TGSPHOTO
In the end, the visitors were indebted to Dent and Peter Handscomb for their useful lead.
Opener Dent made 57 before he was caught in the slips off the medium-paced Ryder, while Handscomb put together a well-contained 66.
He reached his half-century by pulling Ryder over square leg for six, a landmark reached in 77 balls and also containing seven fours. His innings was eventually cut short by the impressive Porter, who ended with four for 59 from 20 overs.
Much is likely to rest on Foster if Essex are to make a real fight of it and he has underlined his determination to do so.
David Masters is congratulated by his Essex team-mates on the wicket of Gloucestershire’s Hamish Marshall. Picture: TGSPHOTO
Normally a batsman with aggressive instincts, the home skipper has so far defended resolutely in scoring just 13 from 72 deliveries.
Velani has proved just as stubborn while gathering three singles from 30 balls, the pair having added only six in eight overs.
Essex will have to display a more positive intent today but it will not be easy to score freely on a pitch which is still giving seamers assistance with its occasional awkward bounce.
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