Essex and Durham shared the spoils on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash at the Seat Unique Riverside, with the home side posting a competitive 358 all out.
Colin Ackermann anchored Durham’s innings with a patient 112, his first century for the club. The former Leicestershire skipper’s 294-minute vigil laid the foundation for Durham’s total.
Essex’s bowlers toiled hard on a pitch conducive to batting, with Sam Cook and Jamie Porter claiming three wickets apiece. However, dropped catches proved costly for the visitors, with Ollie Robinson and Ackermann both reprieved.
Robinson, on loan from Yorkshire, made the most of his lifeline, scoring 90 in his fifth consecutive first-class half-century this season. David Bedingham also contributed a brisk 52 before being bowled by a superb delivery from Porter.
Durham lost both openers cheaply, but Ackermann and Robinson steadied the ship, putting on 118 for the third wicket. Robinson’s dismissal to Simon Harmer triggered a mini-collapse, with Graham Clark and Brydon Carse also falling cheaply.
Ackermann remained unfazed, reaching his century off 199 balls. However, he was eventually dismissed by Cook, who also accounted for Paul Coughlin. Snater wrapped up the innings with the final two wickets.
Essex openers Nick Browne and Alastair Cook safely negotiated the last two overs of the day to finish on five without loss.
