County Championship Division Two, Chelmsford (day two, close):
Essex 144 v Somerset 284-6
Somerset are expected to secure the Division Two title on Friday after closing the second day on 50-1, needing a further 132 to beat Essex. Australian veteran Andy Bichel did his best to disrupt compatriot Justin Langer's plans with a fine display.
He claimed two of the last three wickets as Somerset were all out for 312 and then fired 60 after Essex lost three wickets for eight in 26 balls.
Bichel then had Marcus Trescothick caught at slip as Somerset chased 182.
Having wrapped up the Somerset innings, Essex made a dreadful start to their reply as left-armer Charl Willoughby made early in-roads.
Jim Phillips and James Foster calmly built an Essex rearguard
with a stand of 135 in 34 overs.
Foster, whose innings spanned 138 balls and
contained 15 boundaries, fell for 96 to leg-spinner Michael
Munday's first ball after tea.
Bichel blasted seven fours and shared 60 in 10 overs with Danish Kaneria who was well caught by Ian Blackwell in the deep to give Munday a third wicket.
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