COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Colchester:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Somerset 215 & 367-8dec, Essex 151 & 38-1
Somerset 4pts, Essex 3pts
Match scorecard

Trescothick had only hit two previous Championship centuries this summer

Marcus Trescothick destroyed the Essex attack with the third double century of his career as Somerset carved out a commanding position at Colchester.

Trescothick hit 228 not out, the highest score by a Somerset player against Essex, before declaring the visitors' second innings on 367-8.

That left relegation-haunted Essex, bowled out earlier for 151, with a monumental victory target of 432.

And, in 10 overs before the close, they made 38-1, losing Jaik Mickleburgh.

He was caught behind off Charl Willoughby. And Essex now look as if they need the intervention of the weather to steer clear of a defeat which would seriously hamper their hopes of preserving First Division status.

Trescothick's driving at Castle Park was the highlight of a 230-ball knock in which he smashed seven sixes and 23 boundaries.

It fully made up for his third-ball duck on the opening day to leave his side odds-on favourites to secure the victory they require to add impetus to their title quest.

But the former England opener did survive a couple of chances, being down at slip by Mark Pettini off Matt Walker on 85 and again on 178 by Chris Wright on the square leg boundary in the same over in which he had despatched leg spinner Danish Kaneria for two successive sixes.

Trescothick took part in two substantial stands, the first with James Hildreth, who stroked his way to his second half century of the game while making 59 in a fourth wicket partnership of 157.

And then Murali Kartik rubbed further salt into Essex wounds with 52 from 59 balls during an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 127 in 19 overs.

David Masters was the only Essex bowler to command any real respect, picking up 3-53 in 18 overs.

In contrast Kaneria's solitary success, which arrived when he had Hildreth caught by Ravi Bopara when reverse sweeping, came at a cost of 120 in 20 overs.

Earlier in the day, Essex lost their four remaining wickets for an additional 25 runs as they were bowled out for 151 to finish 64 adrift on first innings.

They were shared by Willoughby (4-67) and Alfonso Thomas (4-44).

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