AUSTRALIA beat Essex by 169 runs after the county, with two batsmen absent injured, were bowled out for 200 in their second innings.

Ryan ten Doeschate and Ravi Bopara held up the tourists march to victory with a third wicket partnership worth 97 in 24 overs after Jesse Ryder had struck a whirlwind 37 from 19 balls that included one six and seven fours.

But the New Zealander had his middle stump uprooted by Mitchell Starc which left Essex 43/2 following the departure of Jaik Mickleburgh for four and with neither Nick Browne nor Tom Westley able to bat, the hosts were facing an uphill and improbable task in their quest for victory.

Bopara and ten Doeschate played some fine strokes both timing the ball sweetly and running well between the wickets but their alliance was eventually ended when Starc was re-introduced into the attack.

He had taken over from wayward spinner Nathan Lyon and trapped Bopara in the crease for 42.

Bopara’s departure led to a rapid decline in the innings with the remaining five wickets falling in 18 overs for the addition of 60 runs.

James Foster had still to get off the mark when he edged Starc into the hands of Michael Clarke at slip to leave the hosts 152/4 and that became 165/5 with the wicket of Matt Salisbury.

This time Josh Hazelwood was the successful bowler, removing the batsman for eight with the help of a catch by wicket-keeper Peter Nevill.

Ten Doeschate’s fine resilience came to a close when he was trapped in front of his stumps by Hazelwood who then captured the wicket of Jamie Porter for a duck with his next delivery.

Aron Nijjar and Tom Moore enjoyed a last fling with 15 and 16 not out respectively that included two lusty blows over the ropes by Moore in one Lyon over until the spinner had the last word when having Nijjar caught in the covers.