Essex recover as England duo fail against Glamorgan

Alviro Petersen hit his highest first-class score as Essex fought back against Glamorgan after England pair Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara failed.

Cook made nine and Bopara was out for a third-ball duck as the visitors stumbled to 65-4.

Petersen (145) led the Essex recovery and put on 181 with Mark Pettini (56) as they declared on 259-9, Graham Wagg with 4-61 and Huw Waters 3-33.

Glamorgan then faced three overs and closed on 1-0, trailing by 258 runs.

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BBC Radio Wales cricket correspondent Edward Bevan:

"After leaving Glamorgan in controversial circumstances last winter their former captain Alviro Petersen came back to score 145 on his return to the Swalec Stadium.

"Petersen rescued Essex after they had been reduced to 65-4 and shared a partnership of 181 with Mark Pettini, once a student at nearby Cardiff UCCE.

"Glamorgan suffered a setback shortly after lunch when Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques left the field clutching his side after bowling only nine overs and after dismissing England batsman Ravi Bopara for a duck.

"But Graeme Wagg then inspired a Glamorgan fight back as five wickets fell for just 13 runs and Wagg ending with 4-61."