Jamie Porter rips through fragile Somerset, puts Essex on course for win
Key Takeaways
- Essex leads Somerset by 94 runs with 10 wickets remaining to win the match (target 95).
- Jamie Porter took 4 wickets for 18 runs in Somerset's second innings collapse.
- Somerset was bowled out for 99 in their second innings after a strong first-innings performance by Essex's top order was undermined.
- Craig Overton passed 500 first-class career wickets with figures of 6 for 88 in Essex's first innings.
- Bad light ended play 17 overs early on day three, setting up a final day chase for Essex.
Essex is close to securing a crucial Rothesay County Championship victory after Somerset collapsed spectacularly in their second innings, being bowled out for 99 runs. Jamie Porter was the chief destroyer with figures of 4 for 18, ably assisted by debutant Charlie Bennett and Simon Harmer, putting Essex just 95 runs shy of the target when bad light stopped play on day three. Earlier, Essex had struggled to convert their strong first-innings position, losing 10 wickets for 161 runs after Dean Elgar and Paul Walter had built a massive 277-run partnership. Craig Overton had been the star for Essex in the first innings, passing 500 first-class wickets with figures of 6 for 88 as the pitch began to favor the seamers. The turning conditions proved disastrous for Somerset's batsmen in their second attempt, leading to their low total and prompting Essex to announce free admission for the final day.
