Essex 125 for 4 (Westley 37*, Walter 36*, Sanderson 3-15) path Northamptonshire 369 (Keogh 172, Broad 56*) by 244 runs

Essex began their first innings needing not less than 400 if rivals Surrey have been bowled out for lower than 250 of their recreation at Southampton, however Sanderson made quick work of their high order, eradicating Alastair Cook, Nick Browne and Dan Lawrence in a 9 over spell, whereas conceding simply 14 runs.

They rallied to 125 for 4 by the shut of play, nonetheless trailing by 244 runs to simply about preserve their problem alive following Surrey's collapse on the Ageas Bowl. Surrey although require solely a draw to clinch one other Championship. Essex, meantime, are pinning their hopes on Hampshire beating Surrey, after which discovering a solution to one way or the other earn 4 batting factors tomorrow and beat Northamptonshire.

Sanderson (3 for 15) made probably the most of overcast circumstances underneath lights, bowling a metronomic line and size and extracting prodigious seam motion which drew Essex's batters into repeatedly enjoying and lacking exterior off-stump. Along the best way he reached 350 first-class wickets in Northamptonshire colors when he dismissed Cook.

Wickets continued to fall on the different finish. Tom Taylor, enjoying his ultimate match for Northamptonshire earlier than shifting to newly-promoted Worcestershire, got here out with actual intent. He smashed Matt Critchley down the bottom for six, however when he tried to repeat the shot, he might solely pick Porter at mid-on.

The new ball did the trick for Porter who received one to seam again and knock Sanderson's center stump out of the bottom earlier than engaging the sting from Jack White, Alastair Cook taking a tumbling catch at slip.

In reply, Browne began briskly however drove loosely to a fuller ball from Sanderson and was caught behind by keeper Lewis McManus. Cook performed an exquisite further cowl drive off Sanderson however was undone when the Northamptonshire stalwart received one to nip again and ship his off-stump cartwheeling.

Dan Lawrence, enjoying his ultimate match for Essex earlier than he joins Surrey, fell quickly after lunch when he performed away from his physique to a different ball from Sanderson which seamed away, McManus once more taking the catch.

Critchley (17) noticed off Sanderson, ultimately getting maintain of 1 from Taylor, guiding it safely down to 3rd to deliver up Essex's 50 within the sixteenth over and driving White by means of midwicket for one more boundary. But when Northamptonshire skipper Luke Procter pitched one up, Critchley performed throughout the road making an attempt to work the ball to leg, solely to have his off-stump knocked again.

White was discovering loads of motion off the seam too and drew Paul Walter into edging behind with simply 1 to his identify, just for Karun Nair to drop the ball at first slip. Walter began to seek out the boundary, driving fluently by means of further cowl.

Tom Westley, who had placed on 33 with Critchley, performed sweetly off his legs early on, however grew to become becalmed, scoring simply 1 out of an unbeaten partnership of 27 with Walter earlier than dangerous mild and rain stopped play with Essex on 95 for 4, nonetheless trailing by 274 runs.

After the resumption, Walter began to stroke the ball sweetly down the bottom, however Essex's scoring remained doggedly under three an over, placing them a great distance behind the speed required to safe the three batting bonus factors they want.