Essex cruise to victory over Gloucestershire

Graham Napier finished with 5-58 as Essex wrapped up victory over Gloucestershire by an innings and 38 runs early on day three at Chelmsford.

The visitors resumed on 55-5 in their second innings, still 129 runs behind.

Overnight pair Ian Cockbain and Will Gidman offered some resistance with a sixth-wicket stand of 54.

But Napier trapped Gidman lbw to trigger a rush of four wickets for 10 runs before Gloucestershire were eventually dismissed for 146.

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Essex coach Paul Grayson told BBC Essex:

"It was not far off being the the complete performance. I was really pleased to get a good score, Billy Godleman's hundred was outstanding and all the guys were looking forward to bowling on that surface.

"It was a really great team performance for the first game of the season.

"We've set some high standards so the challenge to the players is to repeat that and be as consistent as we can."