JESSE Ryder had another day to remember as Essex moved into a commanding position in their search for an LV=County Championship victory against Worcestershire.

Fresh from his career-best 5-24 that demolished the visitors in their first innings, he struck a magnificent unbeaten 120 as the home side piled their way to a total of 431 and a first innings lead of 347 runs.

By the close, Worcestershire were 113-2 in their second innings.

Ryder’s second Championship century of the summer came on a day when it was announced he had signed a two-year contract with the county and had been awarded his County Cap.

After Essex had resumed on 198- 3, they quickly lost Nick Browne who added just 12 runs to his overnight 106 when he shouldered arms against spinner Moeen Ali and was bowled.

James Foster quickly followed lbw to leg-spinner Brett D’Oliveira having taken his overnight 36 onto 48, while Kishen Velani was caught in the deep for nine attacking Charlie Morris.

When Graham Napier became a victim to the same bowler for only two, Essex found themselves 268-7 but David Masters then arrived to provide solid support as Ryder cut loose at the other end.

The New Zealander unleashed a succession of brutal strokes either side of the wicket as he completed his century from 101 balls, his second 50 arriving from just 31 balls.

Masters contributed 18 from 86 balls in a stand of 71 in 23 overs before Ali had him caught at slip but Worcestershire’s hopes of a swift closure were dashed as Monty Panesar came to the wicket.

Much to the delight of the crowd, Panesar even kept pace with Ryder with some meaty blows in gathering 38 from 43 balls including seven boundaries, to share a stand of 76 in a little more than 10 overs, before becoming a victim of Jack Shantry.

When Ryder finally ran out of partners, he had struck 14 fours and three sixes but even then he was not finished.

He took the new ball when the visitors commenced their second innings and with only nine runs on the board, he got rid of Richard Oliver with Browne’s help at slip.

Panesar struck with his fourth delivery when he trapped Daryl Mitchell legbefore with the total on 54.

But his dismissal did nothing to curb the attacking instincts of Ali.

He went boldly for his shots to reach his half-century and resume on day three on 70 with Tom Fell, who has so far contributed just 14 in an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 59.

But even if Essex do win, they will be pipped for promotion if Hampshire, as appears likely, beat Glamorgan at Cardiff.