Cricket latest: Rashid keeps Yorkshire's hopes alive as Essex pile on the runs

The pair had come together with the home side, who led by 75 runs after the first innings, in trouble at 15-2 after Jaik Mickleburgh and Tom Westley had been dismissed.

But they responded admirably with Cook having moved on to 33 at the interval and Bopari 27 to leave Essex on 75-2.

Yorkshire had enjoyed a dream start when Tim Bresnan bowled Jaik Mickleburgh from the very first ball of the innings.

Steve Patterson then claimed the wicket of Tom Westley with a pearler of a delivery that uprooted the off stump.

The wicket brought Essex's centurion from the first innings to the wicket and by tea Ravi Bopara had moved on to xx not out. With Alastair Cook unbeaten on xx, it left the White Rose needing to make a breakthrough soon after tea or risk allowing the game to run away from them.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Yorkshire first innings had extended just 15 minutes into the session having resumed after lunch on 314-9.

Patterson was the last man out after calling Adil Rashid for a second run after the leg-spinner had driven the ball to Chris Wright on the boundary.

Due to the throw being fast and accurate, Patterson was out by a foot or so to leave Rashid unbeaten on 52 and Yorkshire trailing their hosts by 75 runs.

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