This is not good news. One player the Aussies really fear. You wonder if Jofra will ever return to red ball cricket? You have to doubt him with all these elbow and back issues over the last two years.....

Did they really need to set the wicket so far over leaving a crazy short boundary to the Hollies side?

A good outcome overall today. That great last wicket stand has probably swung the match our way. A bit disappointed with the collapse in the afternoon, but the last two rescued the situation. Rushworth has been a revelation !

The weather forecast looks dry but mainly cloudy today. There will be moisture in the wicket early on so it favours the seam bowlers. It could be a tricky first hour or so. I hope we can dig in, but losing the second wicket to the last ball of the day will boost Essex.

Essex 112/8. Hannon-Dalby has stepped up with 3 wickets now......

Correction....Essex 76/5......Rushworth's 3rd wicket in this last over before tea. The guy is amazing!

Rushworth brilliance again....2 wickets in 3 balls to reduce Essex to 76/4.

Surely Woakes can't be fatigued after the thrashing of Hampshire? He's not likely to be a first choice selection for England in the Ashes series.

Rushworth with 10 wickets in this match was outstanding, what a great piece of business to sign him. A shame that Ed Barnard fell only 5 runs short of a century. Burgess did very well with the bat as well. To think, we still have Liam Norwell to come back! Very encouraging indeed.

67/9 Last pair being a bit stubborn. Only a matter of time.....

26/3 now! Woakes strikes....

Hampshire 26/2 now. Rushworth has got both, what a signing he's been! Get Vince early and we could yet pull this off.

Probably one day mode required for 10 overs tomorrow morning. Then the bowlers take over......

The weather this spring had been pretty abysmal. We lost the whole of the first day at Taunton which cost us a win in the end having been in such a dominant position. We just about got over the line against Kent despite a lot of rain during the 4 days. We had awful batting conditions against Surrey, but probably would've still lost that match. The weather looks like wiping out most of tomorrow at the Rose Bowl, again we are so well placed in this game and will have to go for it on Sunday which looks dry and fairly sunny.

249/4. Hain 85 and Barnard 37 not out, a good partnership. I think we need to get a move on with tomorrow looking like a washout. See off this new ball first though....

Make that 109/6. Rushworth yet again!

Hampshire now 109/5. Rushworth strikes again. Such a smart signing from Durham. I noticed we lost the toss yet again!!

BosworthBear wrote:

Meanwhile Henry Brookes has 5-8

Not a good decision to let him go on loan?
I know it's a Division lower, but 10 overs and 13/5 is some going!

Norwell still injured? That's a big worry. Is it a back problem?

coolerking wrote:

Such a poor performance overall. The only time we really had Surrey in trouble was when they were 143 for 5 but of course they ended up virtually doubling that and our top order capitulated again. A lack of pace could be a problem this summer.

We need Norwell back asap. He would add more potency to an already decent bowling attack. A bit worrying that he's still injured so early in the season having not bowled at all so far......