Essex pair Bopara and Cook put Yorkshire on the rack

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Chelmsford:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Essex 399 & 229-3, Yorkshire 324
Essex 7pts, Yorkshire 6pts
Match scorecard

Bopara faced 138 balls for his 102, hitting 10 fours and three sixes

Ravi Bopara scored his second century of the match and Alastair Cook 90 not out to put Essex in charge against Yorkshire on day three at Chelmsford.

After resuming on 227-5, Yorkshire were bowled out for 324, a deficit of 75, despite 52 not out from Adil Rashid.

The visitors' sprits were then lifted when Essex slipped to 15-2.

But Bopara (102) and Cook, who were both dropped by Anthony McGrath, added 199 for the third wicket to see Essex to 229-3 at the close, a lead of 304.

Most of the 97 runs added by Yorkshire in the morning session came from the bat of Rashid, who was supported in a seventh-wicket stand of 50 by Steve Patterson.

After Patterson became left-arm spinner Tim Phillips' (4-94) fourth victim, Tino Best was bowled by Andy Carter (3-77) and last-man Oliver Hannon-Dalby was run out to leave Rashid stranded.

Essex were soon in trouble in their second innings as Jaik Mickleburgh fell first ball and Tom Westley was bowled by Patterson.

But England pair Bopara and Cook repaired the damage, taking advantage of being dropped at second slip by McGrath on 38 and 68 respectively.

Bopara did eventually depart, bowled trying to cut Rashid, after hitting 10 fours and three sixes in his 138-ball effort, but Cook remains at the crease and will look to score quickly in the morning as Essex push for victory.