Essex 462 for 9 dec (Critchley 121, Khushi 56*) and 15 for 1 lead Somerset 167 (Harmer 5-64) by 310 runs
Simon Harmer claimed his first five-wicket haul of the season as Essex put themselves in an imperious position in their LV=Insurance County Championship clash with Somerset.
Harmer had taken 18 wickets in his first six Championship appearances of the season but tore through the Somerset lower order after Jamie Porter had dealt out the opening blows as the visitors slumped to 10 for 3. Sean Dickson carried his bat for Somerset, the first since Tom Lammonby against Worcestershire in 2020, as he scored an unbeaten 82 - comfortably his best since arriving from Durham.
Somerset were bowled out for 167 and trailed after the first innings by 295 runs, but Essex didn't enforce the follow-on and ended the day on 15 for 1, extending their lead to 310.
Tom Westley had earned opening bowlers Sam Cook and Jamie Porter 20 minutes to bowl at Somerset before the lunch break by declaring on 462 for 9.
Only 2.5 overs were possible before rain came but Porter knocked over Toms Lammonby and Abell in the first over. Lammonby had looped the third ball of this innings to point before Abell was brilliantly caught at second slip.
Things didn't improve after lunch with George Bartlett lbw to Porter with the first ball on resumption, having previously survived some close calls while stepping across his stumps.
Harmer arrived at his customary River End in the 13th over and challenged Tom Kohler-Cadmore to take him on down the ground after an enterprising 32 off 39 balls in his fourth over. It was to his detriment as Ben Allison swallowed a simple catch at long-on.
In form James Rew edged Allison behind before Harmer went through the lower order. Kasey Aldridge was caught and bowled, Craig Overton was unfortunately adjudged caught at short leg - replays would show that the ball bounced before ricocheting off Nick Browne - and Josh Davey and Matt Henry fell in successive deliveries.
It was Harmer's 31st five-wicket haul for Essex and second against Somerset. Cook rounded off the innings after a 40 minute last-wicket stand, Shoaib Bashir edging to Alastair Cook, to give Essex a lead of 295.
Throughout the wicket-taking Dickson had held firm. Having arrived from Durham in the winter, after requesting a move back down south with his family, his previous best score this season had been 19 in eight innings with three ducks.
Westley decided to rest his bowlers rather than go immediately again, and in seven evening overs lost Browne leg-before to Overton.
Earlier, Essex returned on day two searching for a fourth batting point. They eventually missed out by three runs despite needing 40 runs in 14 overs.
Accurate bowling, with slightly more assistance off the pitch, and wickets were the main reasons for the failure. Nightwatchman Ben Allison was bowled by Overton with the third delivery of the morning before Matt Critchley was run out for 121 when attempting to complete a fourth run.
Harmer was caught behind, Will Buttleman swung to point and Sam Cook handed Bashir his maiden first-class wicket but Khushi opened up to take Essex to 462 for 9 before declaring. Khushi had initially struggled to time the ball as he reached 12 off 51, before turning to T20 mode with 44 runs off his last 17 deliveries to end up unbeaten on 56.
