County Championship - day two (close)

Essex 159 & 117-3 v Somerset 164

SOMERSET look set to face a tricky run chase after hosts Essex recovered from the loss of early second innings wickets to build a valuable 112-run lead on day two at Chelmsford.

Resuming overnight on 118-5, the visitors made the worst possible start as nightwatchman Jack Leach (8) and Craig Overton (0) both fell to Mohammad Amir in the first over of the day.

The other not out overnight batsman, Steve Davies, made his way to 15 before falling in unusual fashion; his edge to second slip was spilled by the fielder, with wicketkeeper James Foster on hand to snaffle the rebound.

Dom Bess and Tim Groenewald dug in to help Somerset establish a first-innings lead, but their 31-run stand was brought to an end when the latter edged behind off Simon Harmer.

The same bowler then removed Paul van Meekeren for a duck as the visitors were bowled out for 164, with Bess left unbeaten on 22.

Craig Overton, fresh from his four wickets in the first innings, tore into Essex again second time round as he pinned both Varun Chopra (1) and Dan Lawrence (0) lbw to leave the hosts 8-2 at lunch.

Nick Browne and Ravi Bopara took the score to 39 before Leach lured the former England man down the wicket; Davies completed the stumping to hand the spinner his first scalp of the match.

That was the last breakthrough of the day for Somerset, however, as Browne (66*) and Adam Wheater (36*) saw Essex through to the close, which came early as a result of rain.

The forecast is poor for tomorrow too, though Somerset will be hoping to resume as soon as possible with early wickets crucial if they are to force victory.