The new ball period is the one time the seamers look dangerous, we just need to survive the next few overs, as this afternoon will be perfect for batting.
Khushi caught by Jaydn on the boundary off the bowling of Big Wes (who had Elgar dropped in the first over by Finch, albeit off a difficult inside edge)
At 312-7 we did very well to get over 400, and 4 bonus points. Will Essex be brave, as it will need a very risky declaration to win tomorrow?
I think that they will declare and back their bowling but I'm not convinced that any declaration will be that risky. They could well be 350 plus ahead by lunch tomorrow which we won't get anywhere near off 60 overs for two reasons - Compton's strength is occupation and not chasing and if we find ourselves three or four down inside the first 30 over, with our batting to come, we are more than likely to shut up shop.
Comments
300-5
Critchley ripping through us
Normally, I'm not one of Compton's biggest fans but he played his vitally important role well.
And Gilchrist's runs were invaluable too as several of his colleagues missed out.
Let's see what our bowlers can do now.
31-1
58-2 - lead 175
79-3, lead of 196
140-3, lead of 257
166-4, lead of 283