Essex 314 and 15 for 0 lead Surrey 240 (Sibley 48, Porter 4-51) by 89 runs

The sense that Surrey would face the sternest check of their title defence but, a month into the brand new season, deepened on day two in Chelmsford, as Essex's bowlers hounded the guests between squally showers to safe what may very well be a significant first-innings lead.

When Ben Foakes dragged a drive into his stumps shortly after tea, giving Cook his second success of the innings, Surrey had been 167 for 7 and virtually 150 in arrears - however because the solar shone into the night, they had been grateful to their abroad allrounder, Sean Abbott, who helped eke out 68 for the eighth and ninth wickets.

We are great distance from a coronation - no less than within the vernacular of the Championship - however Surrey will know that they can not keep away from distractions this weekend as they appear to take care of their place on the high of Division One. The climate forecast stays distinctly anti-monarchist however, with virtually 80 overs bowled regardless of comparable predictions on Friday, this sport has moved on apace.

Surrey's high order boasted 5 gamers in possession of England Test caps, but nobody managed to provide a greater particular person contribution than Sibley's 48. He and Rory Burns placed on 56 for the primary wicket as Surrey began in good fettle regardless of the lurking cloud cowl, with a lot of runs coming through angled dabs in the direction of the deep third boundary. Burns was dropped on 11, Dan Lawrence making an attempt a flying take from third slip when the possibility may need been higher left to Harmer at second; however a Chefs particular noticed off Surrey's captain, Alastair Cook's low take giving Sam Cook his first success.

Sibley's duel with Harmer both facet of two temporary delays proved absorbing. In the livestream commentary field, Ray East, the left-arm spinner who took greater than 1000 first-class wickets for Essex, opined that he would "quite like bowling to" Sibley, given the opener's proclivity for shovelling the ball into the leg facet. Moments later, Sibley launched the ball over the quick boundary at deep midwicket for one of many three sixes he took off Harmer (whose offspin was, maybe, extra open to being focused by in such a fashion).

Surrey resumed on 80 for 1 when the climate cleared for a post-lunch restart of two.30pm, however Sibley's progress was halted by an injudicious drive at a wide-ish Bracewell supply and his dismissal sparked a slide of three for five in six overs as Essex clawed their method again into rivalry. Jamie Smith might do little in regards to the ball he obtained from Bracewell, which straightened wickedly on off stump to provide an edge by means of to the keeper, and Ollie Pope was then left to glare suspiciously on the floor after Porter cannoned one into his shin.

Will Jacks, whose disdainful remedy of Harmer at The Oval final summer time helped flip a close-fought match Surrey's method, tried an identical counter in his first Championship look of the season, twice launching him over the leg facet. However, Shane Snater produced one other shooter - this time from the River End - to ship Jacks on his method, and Cam Steel then additional salved Harmer's wounds by hoicking a dragged-down supply straight to deep sq. leg on the stroke of tea.

That eight of Surrey's batters reached double-figures however none managed a half-century hints at wastefulness, although the pitch clearly performed its half and credit score ought to go to Tom Westley's adroit makes use of of his assets in guaranteeing the hosts have the sting on the halfway level of this contest.

Alan Gardner is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick