ONLY two wickets fell at Chelmsford today as Essex reached 323-2 by the close, a lead of 43 runs on first innings.

Jason Gallian and Ravinder Bopara composed a third wicket partnership worth 266 runs thus far.

Gallian, on his Essex championship debut, recorded the 37th century of his career, while Bopara, some 14 years his junior at 22 years of age, was notching his seventh century in first-class cricket.

Gallian batted throughout the day to reach 146, while Bopara finished on 137 not out despite having given the opener a 23-overs start.

The former Lancashire and Nottinghamshire opener did offer one chance when edging a regulation slip catch to the normally dependable David Sales, when he had scored 13 off the bowling of pace man David Wigley.

But from thereon, he eschewed all thoughts of demise with a vigilant approach, accumulating runs steadily.

Bopara has stated that the first month of the season is going to be a vital period as he sets out to reclaim his England Test place and he has made a bold bid to force his way back into immediate consideration.

He followed up three wickets on the opening day with a stylishly fluent innings, initially overcoming the failed attempts of Lance Klusener to bounce him out, and then using his feet to good effect that also allowed him to execute a number of sumptuous cover drives.

He was soon keeping pace with Gallian as the home side batted themselves into an influential position on a wicket that was significantly flatter than the opening day.

Both batsmen reached their centuries in the same over bowled by spinner Jason Brown with Gallian the first to see three figures on the scoreboard having faced 220 deliveries and struck 14 boundaries whilst Bopara also struck 14 fours and one six from 164 balls to reach his hundred. His second 50 had spanned just 60 balls, testimony to his increasing dominance of the flagging opposition attack whilst Gallian too also began to increase the run tempo.

The pair had begin their partnership after the loss of two Essex wickets for 57 with Varun Chopra falling for a single to a magnificent catch at deep fine leg by Northants debutant Shaun Bailey, who dived full length to complete the dismissal.

Tom Westley was the other wicket to fall when the 18-year-old attempted a forcing shot off the back foot but was caught by Alex Wakely for 14 diving to his left in the gully to give David Wigley a second wicket.

From thereon, bat dominated ball with Bopara hoisting Brown for six over long-on and then driving a four in the same direction to take the total past 200.

In full control, Gallian and Bopara continued to gather runs comfortably from each member of the six-man attack until the final over of the day when Bopara offered a difficult return catch to Bailey although the young bowler was unable to grab the offering leaving both batsmen to resume this morning as Essex look to build on the foundations for a substantial first innings lead.