COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Southend:
Essex v Gloucestershire
5-8 August 2009
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Essex 300 Gloucestershire 319-6 (Essex 5pts, Glos 6pts)

Franklin hit 13 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 92

James Franklin moved within sight of his second Championship hundred of the summer as Gloucestershire moved into the lead against Essex at Southend.

Franklin finished day two unbeaten on 92 as the visitors closed on 319-6, a first-innings lead of 19.

He was well supported in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 149 by Steve Adshead (56 not out).

Earlier, Kadeer Ali (76) shared a second-wicket stand of 50 with Steve Kirby, while Graham Napier took 2-49.

After the hosts began the day on 13-1, Kadeer and nightwatchman Kirby took the score to 61 before Kirby was caught by Mark Pettini off the bowling of Napier.

Wickets then fell at regular intervals, with a number of visiting batsman unable to capitalise after getting starts.

Indeed, when Kadeer was caught by wicketkeeper James Foster off Napier and Chris Taylor was bowled by Chris Wright seven runs later, Gloucestershire were in trouble at 170-5.

But Franklin, who hit three sixes and thirteen fours in his 137-ball effort, and Adshead combined to take the visitors into the lead when stumps were drawn.

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