Leicestershire v Essex: Ben Foakes falls short of debut ton

Teenager Ben Foakes narrowly missed out on a century on his Championship debut as Essex's game with Leicestershire was left in the balance.

England Under-19 international Foakes made 93 as Essex, 239-5 overnight at Grace Road, were dismissed for 409 to claim a first-innings lead of 37.

Ramnaresh Sarwan then made his second half-century of the match as the home side closed on 148-3.

He will resume on the final morning on 61, with his side 111 ahead.

Foakes, playing in the absence of England's Alastair Cook and the injured Ravi Bopara, was one of Wayne White's five victims when he edged behind shortly before lunch.

But Sarwan and Will Jefferson steered the hosts back into the game with a third-wicket stand of 97, which was halted when Jefferson was out for 49 just before bad light ended play with 6.2 overs remaining.