Essex in Low-Scoring Clash

Shane Snater spearheaded Essex’s bowling attack as Warwickshire crumbled to their lowest County Championship total of the season, being dismissed for just 78 at Edgbaston.

In a day that saw 19 wickets tumble, Essex recovered from their own batting struggles to reach 189-9, building a lead of 111 runs. Five Essex players contributed scores in the 30s after a shaky start, with the match ending early under controversial circumstances due to poor light despite 10 overs remaining.

Warwickshire, sent in to bat first, endured a nightmare session as they stumbled to 72-7 by lunch. Jamie Porter and Olly Hannon-Dalby, who started the day tied as the leading wicket-takers in the County Championship, immediately caused havoc. Porter took just 16 deliveries to claim his first two scalps, dismissing openers Rob Yates (lbw) and Alex Davies (caught at third slip), leaving Warwickshire at 18-3 after Sam Hain was trapped lbw by Sam Cook.

Snater then took control, removing Hamza Shaikh’s off stump and trapping Ed Barnard leg before in a devastating seven-ball spell. Warwickshire’s former captain, Will Rhodes, playing his final home game before his move to Durham, managed to score 29 before edging Snater to keeper Michael Pepper. Cook later shattered Michael Burgess’s middle stump with the last ball before lunch.

The final three Warwickshire wickets fell in quick succession as Snater completed his first five-wicket haul since 2022, while Porter’s 3-15 brought his season tally to 49 wickets.

Essex’s reply began similarly poorly as they slumped to 50-5, losing Robin Das lbw to Hannon-Dalby and captain Tom Westley the same way for 30. Barnard then took two wickets in three balls, dismissing Dean Elgar (caught at first slip) and Paul Walter (playing onto his stumps). 

Despite Chris Rushworth’s bad luck, which included an injury that forced him off the field, Essex recovered. Matt Critchley (32) and Pepper (37) added 55 runs, before Snater and Simon Harmer (31) contributed a further 39-run stand.

Craig Miles dismissed Harmer and Cook in quick succession, but Snater remained unbeaten on 33, joined by last man Porter, as Essex extended their lead to 111 by the close of play. 

The day ended earlier than expected due to poor light, despite the use of floodlights, with the shadows from the larger stands making conditions too difficult for batting.

Match Summary:

- Warwickshire 78 (Rhodes 29; Snater 5-13, Porter 3-15, Cook 2-31)

- Essex 189-9 (Pepper 37; Barnard 3-36, Miles 3-53)

- Essex (3 pts) lead Warwickshire (3 pts) by 111 runs.