VICTORY by 187 runs over Warwickshire ensured Essex preserved their 100 per cent home record when they completed their sixth Championship win of the season at their Chelmsford base – a result that saw them leapfrog Somerset to take over as leaders of Division One by four points.

By Paul Hiscock
July 13-16, The Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford

Essex 245 (A Cook 84, Lawrence 61, Rhodes 5-17)
& 316-9d (A Cook 83, Lawrence 74, Rhodes 4-38)
Warwickshire 161 (Ambrose 38, Siddle 5-33) & 213 (Burgess 64, Banks 50, Harmer 6-75)
Essex won by 187 runs
Toss: Uncontested, Warwickshire ...