County Championship D2, Leicester, day three: Leicestershire 335 v Essex 39-3
Paul Nixon and Daniel Rowe both hit 85 as Leicestershire notched up 335 against Essex at Grace Road.
In reply the visitors were 39-3 at the close, with skipper Ronnie Irani holding things together on 26 not out.
With two days of the match already lost to the weather, Nixon and Rowe went on the attack as Essex's four World Cup players struggled to make an impact.
Nick Walker dismissed both Essex openers with just seven runs on the board before Ravi Bopara fell for two.
The home side had looked in trouble at 177-7 until Nixon, aided and abetted by tailenders Rowe and Walker, led a recovery with the last three wickets adding 158 runs in 27 overs.
Walker also cashed in on some loose and undisciplined Essex bowling, clubbing 31 runs off 15 balls including four sixes off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.
Andrew McGarry, back with Essex after dropping out of county cricket for the last three seasons, claimed 2-62, his first championship wickets since 2001.
South African Andre Nel also bowled well in the afternoon session, dismissing Darren Robinson for 43 and Marc Rosenberg with successive deliveries.
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