Division Two
Essex v Hampshire
Chelmsford
Close of play: Hampshire 197, Essex 72-5.
On what was clearly a bowler’s day at Chelmsford, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sean Ervine struck the only half-century of the day for Hampshire.
The away side had slumped to 47-4 with Essex bowler David Masters taking three wickets and eventually finishing the innings with figures of 4-29.
Yet Ervine came to the crease and put on a much needed 82-run partnership with James Vince to ensure the visitors wouldn’t be all-out for an embarrassing total.
Vince was trapped lbw by Ravi Bopara for 43 but Ervine batted on and made it to 60 runs before Reece Topley eventually got his man.
In reply to the modest 197 set by Hampshire the home side did not fare any better, losing five wickets for 26 runs with Masters and Mark Pettini both out for ducks.
England captain Alastair Cook did all he could to steady things and finished the day on 25 not-out.
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