The Latest Breaking News from Essex

Tom Abell and Lewis Gregory helped champions Somerset start the defence of their title with a four-wicket victory over Essex.

Payne took three wickets with the new ball.

An emphatic victory over Kent was inspired by Essex’s outstanding bowling display,

Essex beat Kent by an innings and 96 runs to close the gap to Surrey to two points at the top of Division One

Organ claimed a third career five-for and Dawson picked up four for 45 to steer Hampshire to an inning-and-278-run victory over Surrey.

Surrey were humiliated by an innings at Southampton, rain affected other Championship games

As the dismal British spring climate brought rain sweeping in from the North Sea across East Anglia, Thompson quite literally made a splash on his BTCC return – and his debut in a rear-wheel-drive tin-top – by topping the second session in his West Surrey Racing BMW 330e M Sport.But…

Surrey were bowled out for 127 in large part because of the efforts of Abbott.

Somerset and Essex are at the head of the chasing pack in Division One.

George Balderson scuppered Durham despite Ollie Robinson’s heroics, while Somerset moved into second in Division One

Tom Aspinwall impressed with ball in hand against Durham, while Gloucestershire ran riot against Leicestershire