Hampshire 10 for 0 path Essex 447 for 9 dec (Rossington 104, Critchley 99, Harmer 62, Yadav 51, Westley 50) by 437 runs
Critchley had been strolling in the direction of three figures and 1,000 runs for the season however stuttered on 99 earlier than he slapped to quick further cowl.
Essex accrued three batting factors of their quest to problem Surrey for the title – which cancelled out the three bowling factors Surrey picked up in opposition to Northamptonshire. The factors distinction stays 18.
Having resumed on 310 for six, and simply eight overs into the second new ball, Essex had the 350-run bonus level of their sights.
Critchley was extra watchful than he had been throughout his thrilling 177-run partnership with centurion Adam Rossington.
He went from 83 in 123 balls to 99 in 162 balls earlier than getting caught. He batted out a maiden from Liam Dawson – which included him getting dropped off a caught and bowled.
Three extra dots off Kyle Abbott adopted as he struggled to discover a hole within the area, earlier than tried to hit Dawson over the covers and was caught by Nick Gubbins at quick further cowl.
Critchley had by no means had the misfortune of falling for 99 earlier than, whereas he now has 969 runs for the season.
His departure sparked an up-turn within the tempo, as Harmer sparked into life and Yadav took a flowery to Dawson and fellow spinner Felix Organ.
They scored 77 runs in seven and a half overs earlier than the declaration got here – their 70 stand coming in 69 balls.
Harmer dominated his boundary hitting by rocking onto the backfoot and chopping behind level, though additionally pinged Dawson over lengthy on after coming down the observe.
The South African’s half-century got here in 76 balls as he moved previous 500 runs in a worthwhile season from the lower-middle order.
Yadav’s 51 off 45 was breathtaking. The Indian swung exhausting and much in his 4 sixes, and his three fours did not come from precision play both.
Harmer and Yadav had been each caught at lengthy on going for a giant shot, with the latter’s bringing the tip of the innings and lunch.
Sam Prepare dinner despatched down three maidens in response, with Harmer’s sole over additionally runless.
Toby Albert and Fletcha Middleton’s 10 runs all got here off Jamie Porter earlier than dangerous mild took the 2 groups off.
The forecast rain then battered the Cloud County Floor, Chelmsford and noticed play known as off simply earlier than 16.30.
