Somerset 167 (Harmer 5-64) and 172 for 4 (Lammonby 59, Abell 54*) want one other 294 runs to beat Essex 462 for 9 dec (Critchley 121, Khushi 56*) and 170 for 7 (Critchley 52, Aldridge 4-36)

All-rounder Critchley notched up 52, to go together with his first-innings century, as Essex set Somerset an unlikely 466 runs to win in slightly below 5 classes.

Critchley struck together with his first ball to pin Lammonby for a two-hour 59 and likewise dismissed George Bartlett as Essex want six wickets on the ultimate day to win on the Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford for the primary time this season - Somerset nonetheless want 294 runs.

Essex's mind belief had determined to not implement the follow-on - with the choice hinging on giving the bowlers an extended break, the offset being much less time to bowl Somerset out.

They had taken their 295 first-innings result in 310, however misplaced Nick Browne in seven overs on the second night.

But the third morning was a meandering session the place Essex appeared in no rush to declare, albeit in opposition to some well-directed bowling. A complete of 113 runs have been scored within the session with 4 wickets falling.

New Zealand quick bowler Matt Henry pinned Division One's main run scorer leg earlier than within the sixth over of the day.

Paul Walter confirmed just a few moments of intent in his 25 earlier than a drive with little footwork was properly caught at gully, earlier than Feroze Khushi fended a ball which stopped within the pitch to first slip.

Critchley had proven impetus, as he had throughout his 121 within the first innings, to push the result in 450 - the unfastened plan to convey a couple of declaration.

The former Derbyshire participant carted Aldridge over midwicket for six earlier than clobbering debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir again over his head.

His half-century got here in 64 balls and was his sixth of the season. No one within the nation has handed fifty greater than Critchley's six within the Championship - though he has solely transformed to a few figures as soon as.

After Simon Harmer had picked out lengthy on in a post-lunch frenzy, Critchley departed for 52 after lobbing a reverse pull shot softly to brief effective leg.

Will Buttleman and Ben Allison each caught sixes because the lead soured previous 450, earlier than Tom Westley pulled out with 55 overs left within the day, and 151 within the match.

Lammonby and Sean Dickson - who had carried his bat within the first innings - appeared in little hazard earlier than the latter surprisingly hoicked Jamie Porter to midwicket.

Essex are likely to pin their hopes on Harmer in these conditions, particularly after his first-innings five-for. He was launched within the seventh over.

The South African bowled 14 fruitless overs earlier than Critchley was thrown the ball to make one thing occur. He did instantly as a drag down stayed low and hit Lammonby - who had struck his third fifty of the season - on the pads.

After two overs from the River End, the leg spinner switched to the Hayes Close End and two balls later influenced an edge from Bartlett which was properly caught at first slip.

Abell's fifty got here in 124 balls however Tom Kohler-Cadmore was lbw to Harmer to the final ball of the day having placed on 55 together with his captain.