County batting stretched by Rogers injury

THE challenge of batting to answer Essex's good first innings total has not been helped by the late withdrawal of Australian batsman Chris Rogers from the Derbyshire side.

The county's leading run-scorer returned last week from a break during the Twenty20 Cup campaign still troubled by a back muscle problem, which first bothered him at Lord's a month ago.

Rogers was able to travel with the squad after responding well to treatment this week, and was expected to play, but his back stiffened up again as the muscles went into spasm, following a practice session at Chelmsford on Saturday.

The decision was taken then to leave Rogers out and Dominic Telo was sent for to take his place.

As he watched Essex climb to 365-7 by the close of play, captain Rikki Clarke was increasingly aware that his team were going to have to shake off their tendency to under-perform in the first innings of Championship matches this season.

“We were in the box seat at 239-7 but they put a lovely partnership together and took it away from us a little bit,” he said.

“In an ideal world, we could have finished them off cheaply but they batted well. It's a flat wicket and a quick outfield – we knew we had to expect that here but, having lost the toss, we were right in the game at 239-7.

“It could have gone the other way and they could have been 250 all out and now we've got to bat really well. It's a good wicket and we've got to make the best of that by putting in a big score ourselves.

“Losing Chris is a blow because he has been great for us but they are the setbacks you have to deal with and it gives others opportunities.

“We've got to bat time, bat sensibly and put a similar score on the board to Essex's.”

Clarke was pleased with the effort from his bowlers on a flat wicket, with Charl Langeveldt, Wavell Hinds and Jake Needham taking particular praise.

“We bowled beautifully,” he added. “Langers was brilliant and so was Wavell, I thought.

“For Jake to get four wickets on a pitch that is not really helping him that much was a great effort.”