GRACE ROAD

(day one of four; Essex won toss)

Leicestershire 107 (HD Ackerman 55*; D Masters five for 35). Essex 144 for four (M Pettini 58; N Malik two for 43).Tea

Leicestershire’s batsman continued to struggle after lunch, eventually crumbling to 107 all out in mid-afternoon, but Essex are faring little better. The home bowlers are also finding movement through the air and off the pitch, Nadeem Malik taking the first two wickets to fall. Jason Gallian had already been dropped at slip when he edged an outswinger behind and Tom Westley snicked a ball that left him off the pitch.

Earlier, David Masters had completed a five-wicket haul against the county he left at the end of last summer, while Ryan ten Doeschate ended with four for 16.

Close

In the final hour, Essex made considerable progress towards a substantial first-innings lead as Mark Pettini made a brisk 58 from 66 balls, then James Foster and Jaik Mickleburgh added an unbroken 44 for the fifth wicket. Mickleburgh, 18, making his first-class debut, has hit four fours in his unbeaten 27 from 38 balls.

On a day dominated by bowlers, Pettini took the attack to Leicestershire and his aggression paid dividends. In the context of today’s play, his was a sizeable innings and Essex will look to build on his enterprise tomorrow.