Essex came into day 3 with a commanding lead of 142 and were hoping to push that towards 180 and more importantly the overnight score of 356-7 to a 5th maximum batting point.

On a lovely sunny at Chelmsford, this didn't go to plan to start with, as Keegan took Foster and Brant in the first over of the day without a run added.

James Foster left a ball that appeared to hit his pad and deflect onto his stumps, as he went for 32 and Scott Brant was tapped lbw to his second ball for 0 and Essex were suddenly 356-9.

But then Jon Dakin has his own agenda and he proceeded to smacked only his second Essex Championship 50 off only 40 balls.

After pulling Abdur Razzaq for a six that flew over the keeper's head, he then took a liking to Keegan's easy pace, by taking 28 off the next two overs from the blonde haired bowler.

A clubbed six into the Essex shop at the end of the first, then saw the next go for two further sixes and two fours. Both sixes were pull shots, that were dispatched into the pavilion, with the second a flat six, that Ed Joyce was wise to get out of the way rather than try catch it!

On reaching his fifty, it brought up an unlikely 5th batting point and although he was out a few balls later, mis-timing to Dawes at long-on off Razzaq, his 52 off 49 balls (4x4, 4x6), took Essex to 402 all out from 107.3 overs and a vital last wicket stand of 46 with McGarry (who made just 4 of those!). The lead was up to 188 and he went out to bowl looking for an early wicket.

However, as ever, the pitch has got easier to bat on and Strauss and Koenig set off well in the second innings with an opening partnership of 65. Strauss made 40, but James Middlebrook got the vital breakthrough before lunch, trapping him lbw.

Owais Shah should have been out in the last over before lunch, but Will Jefferson failed to hold onto what seemed an easy chance at slip off Midders and the visitors went into the break at 83-1, 105 behind.

Midders first over after lunch saw Shah then give another half chance, but his mis-timed drive looped the wrong side of McGarry at cover. Us Essex fans were hoping these chances would not be too costly.

But these missed chances looked crucial, as Shah and Koenig built together a stand of 109. It wasn't pretty, but it was what Middlesex needed.

Then just as Middlesex were sensing they were back in it, Larry Grayson popped-up and got the crucial wicket of Shah for 46 and Middlesex were 174-2 and still 14 behind.

It was a freak dismissal, as Shah swept fine behind Fossy, but Affy Habib was lurking at leg slip and took a good catch.

David Nash should have been out first ball, as he seemed to edge to slip, but the umpire thought otherwise and he continued.

Then after getting 3 into the lead, Jon Dakin's good match continued, as he returned to induced an edge off Koenig and the excellent delivery was taken well by Fossy and the lads knew what an important wicket that was, with Koenig six short of his ton and looking well set.

Nash added vertually all of the 42 he put on with Ed Joyce, but he then went to Larry, as he edged to Robbo at short leg and the Essex opener took an excellent diving catch to get rid of the Middlesex keeper for 42.

That was 233-4 and Razzaq and Joyce added 18 more before the close, as Middlesex ended on 251-4 from 96 overs, but more importantly, effectively 63-4.

Larry was the star, with 2-42 from 17, while the rest toiled but to no avail.

Again, although the lads bowled well, the lack of bite showed as Middlesex fought back well on day 3. Having said that, the track has got better and batting is easier. First hour is crucial tomorrow. If we can take 2 wickets, then we'll go onto win, if we don't take any, it would look as if Middlesex will battle further for a draw. Although Joyce (11 not out off 83 balls) looks set to bat through, the remaining batsmen will play shots and this could give us the win yet. A target of under 200 would be getable, especially with no quality spinner to exploit what turn there is for the seaxes, but we'll have to work hard. Should be a fascinating last day.

Jon Dakin - Quickfire 52 to gives us 5th batting point and then toiled hard and got crucial wicket of Sven Koenig.

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Date: 20/4/03

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