On the first day of the Vitality County Championship Division One match at the Cloud County Ground in Chelmsford, Essex fast bowler Jamie Porter tore through Worcestershire’s top order, securing his second five-wicket haul of the season. Despite this early setback, Worcestershire managed to stage a strong recovery, ending the day with 266 runs.
After choosing to bat first, Worcestershire found themselves in trouble early on as Porter and Sam Cook combined to take four wickets in just 13 balls, reducing the visitors to a precarious 10-4 within the first five overs.
However, as the Kookaburra ball softened, Worcestershire captain Brett D’Oliveira led the fightback. D’Oliveira, who had recently returned from injury, crafted a composed 66 from 136 balls, marking his second consecutive half-century following his crucial role in last week's victory over Kent.
D’Oliveira formed a crucial 72-run partnership with Ethan Brookes, who contributed 46 runs, and later added 59 runs with Tom Taylor. Taylor, who remained unbeaten on 62, was further supported by on-loan Surrey spinner Amar Virdi, whose valuable 42 runs helped Worcestershire add 64 runs for the final wicket.
Porter, currently the joint-leading wicket-taker in Division One, finished with impressive figures of 5-52 from 17 overs, as Worcestershire were eventually dismissed for 266.
On a pitch at Chelmsford that later favoured spin, South African off-spinner Simon Harmer, making his 100th red-ball appearance for Essex, claimed three lower-order wickets, taking his first-class wicket tally for the county to 459.
Essex responded by scoring 50 runs in 19 evening overs, with only former South Africa Test opener Dean Elgar falling. Elgar was dismissed lbw by Taylor for 29 on the final ball of the day, leaving Robin Das unbeaten on 21.
Essex will have the option of including Jordan Cox in their batting lineup on Friday, as he was released by England after the toss at Lord’s. Noah Thain had initially been named in the Essex starting XI as a precaution in case Cox was retained.