Essex v Leicestershire: Westley & Mickleburgh hit half-centuries

Jaik Mickleburgh and Tom Westley made unbeaten half-centuries as Essex ended a rain-hit day one in complete control against Leicestershire at Chelmsford.

Essex closed on 161-0 from the 57 overs possible - the county's first century stand of the season.

Westley was unbeaten on 75 with eight fours in his three-and-a-half hours at the crease.

Mickleburgh (81 not out) hit 11 fours and one six for his highest score in three Championship innings this season.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM.

Essex head coach Paul Grayson told BBC Essex:

"That was probably one of our better days in Championship cricket this year, I thought Tom and Jaik were brilliant.

"Even though it was a flattish wicket, you've still got the earn the right to score runs and they've done exactly that.

"The last couple of years, Tom has always played nicely for 20 or 30 and then he's got out for some reason, maybe a little bit softly. He's very aware of that and knows at the top of the order he's got to make big scores.

"Our top order have to make hundreds and the pair of them have got to come back and start well again tomorrow morning. The first hour's going to be very important."