Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

This is a really good batting track, so I think Durham have lost more wickets than they should have done at this stage.

The last two to fall were also examples of batsmen struggling for form.

Colin Ackermann didn't move his feet to a wide delivery from Shane Snater and got an inside edge onto his stumps. He was out for 15.

Ollie Robinson then clipped one down the legside from Doug Bracewell and was caught behind on 15. He looked really disappointed to be given out, but I think it was more symptomatic of the fact he should not have played the shot. He's got a habit of getting caught down the legside.

So, a look at the scoreboard, tells me Durham should not be five down for the runs accrued. They are at risk of leaving runs out there.

Ben McKinney, who has a fine 120, needs to find a partner to help re-build the innings.

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Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Despite the loss of Emilio Gay for 22 this morning, Durham have continued to make progress out in the middle after winning the toss.

It's a warm day in Chelmsford and there is a nice breeze, but the batting conditions also look good so it was a good toss to win.

Alex Lees and Ben McKinney have formed a nice partnership. They have put on 83 runs so far, with Lees on 67 and McKinney on 46.

Durham and Essex have only won two games each this season and are both in a relegation scrap, but the visitors have not had a victory to celebrate since mid-May which seems an awful long time ago.

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Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Durham signed the Afghan spinner Shafiqullah Ghafari for this one, but then went with the experience of Callum Parkinson instead.

Ghafari, 23, has been playing for Richmondshire in the North Yorkshire & South Durham league for the last three years and we may see him yet this season, just not in the sunshine of Chelmsford.

Durham are second bottom going into this one and haven't won since mid-May. But Essex only have the two wins to their name as well. They have just had a few more draws.

Durham's only victory here came on their first visit in 1993.

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