Essex v Gloucestershire: Ryder & Bopara put hosts on top

Ryder's 133 included 15 fours and four sixes

Jesse Ryder's first century of the season helped Essex into a dominant position against Gloucestershire on day two at Chelmsford.

Resuming on 75-0, Nick Browne (65) and Tom Westley (71) went on to share 139 for the first wicket before both were dismissed in consecutive overs.

But Ryder (133) and Ravi Bopara (98 not out) then put on 197 against a toiling Gloucestershire attack.

The hosts reached 425-3 at the close, a lead of 201.

James Foster (51 not out) and Bopara, who found the boundary only nine times during his 244-ball innings, will now look to further press home Essex's advantage on the third day.

Ryder's first-ever ton in the County Championship came off 150 balls - but upon reaching three figures the New Zealander let loose, smashing a further 33 runs off the 14 deliveries that followed before being caught behind.

BBC Essex's Nick Gledhill:

"The Essex batsmen dominated the second day to such an extent that Gloucestershire will surely have to bat for five sessions to save the match.

"It was a day when everyone contributed, but the memorable innings was Jesse Ryder's first century for the county.

"He put his previous struggles in the four-day game behind him with a powerful range of strokes that came with increasing frequency to delight the Chelmsford crowd.

"Ravi Bopara played a clever supporting role in a third-wicket stand of 197 that took the game away from Gloucestershire."