Chris Read was one of three centurions for Nottinghamshire with a blistering 161 not out as the runs continued to flow in their game against Essex.

Resuming on 191-2, replying to the hosts' massive 700-9, Mark Wagh (107) and Samit Patel (117) ploughed on.

Read took on the mantle by smashing four sixes in his 253-ball knock.

He put on 155 with Mark Ealham (54) and an unbroken 78 with Graeme Swann (37no) as Notts closed on 579-7 on day three of a game heading for a certain draw.

Wagh and Patel moved to three figures with a six off Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria but he broke the partnership by bowling Wagh while Patel was caught behind chasing a wide one from Ravi Bopara.

David Hussey edged Andy Bichel behind for 36 but Essex had to wait 51 overs for another breakthrough when off-spinner James Middlebrook had Ealham lbw.

Paul Franks suffered a similar dismissal against Kaneria soon afterwards and Notts were still 50 short of reaching 551 to avoid the follow-on.

But Read, who had reached his century with a maximum off Middlebrook, and Swann had no difficulty in seeing off the threat.