They're now into the last hour at Chelmsford.

Still no sign of a wicket for Lancashire.

They may well shake hands before 6pm.

Ron Clark: Do we know when Alistair Cook will return for Essex?

It's my understanding that his hip injury wasn't that serious Ron, so he could well be back for Friday's game at Somerset. Don't hold me to that though!

A face of pure concentration from Ryan ten Doeschate who has now seen out 89 balls and more than likely saved the game for his side.

Lancashire are going through the motions.

Image source, Rex Features

It's become rather sleepy in the middle. 

Dan Lawrence and Ryan ten Doeschate have blunted Lancashire's attack.

Hello, that livens things up a bit. Ten Doeschate plays a beautiful cover drive off Jordan Clark to the rope.

The skipper has player a super innings so far - arguably just as important as Lawrence's.

Tick. 20 overs to go.

It's all going wrong for Lancashire. Jordan Clark launches the ball at the stumps, thinking Ryan ten Doeschate is out of his crease, but it goes through everyone and down to the boundary.

Runs don't matter, but it sums up Lancashire's last hour or so.

Charles Fairs: Dan Lawrence is putting in the kind of disciplined knock that could be useful to @englandcricket, external in a few years. Just saying.

Image source, Rex Features

Jimmy's body language says it all really. It's been a tough day for the bowlers.

Dan Lawrence whips Jordan Clark for another couple of boundaries and is up to 125.

It's getting towards make or break time for the Red Rose county.

Apart from that clatter of wickets after lunch, Essex have looked relatively at ease all day.

Lancashire need some inspiration from somewhere, but it's difficult to see where they'll get it from.

The pitch is pretty flat and Dan Lawrence and Ryan ten Doeschate are both settled.

Brett Sanders: Come on @EssexCricket, external  #digin great stuff from  @Lawrenc28Daniel, external@rtendo27, external  #bbccricket

I did say yesterday to drink in the blue sky photos. It's now well and truly April again!

Lancashire's bowlers haven't really troubled Dan Lawrence or Ryan ten Doeschate since tea.

25 overs remain.

Image source, Rex Features

Ralph Brooker:@EssexCricket, external deserve the draw. @LancsCCC, external deserve the win. Another good game.

Image source, Rex Features

Essex batsman Dan Lawrence has now faced 250 balls in this innings and been at the crease for almost five and a half hours.

They'll be talking about this knock for years to come if the 19-year-old manages to save the game for his side.

At the moment, there's no reason why he won't. He's a class act.

Another milestone ticked off for Essex - they've got a minimum of 30 overs left to survive. Or until 6pm.

After Ravi Bopara and Adam Wheater both looked scratchy and got out quickly, captain Ryan ten Doeschate has been a much more calming presence.

James Anderson completes his 23rd wicketless over with another maiden. I'd expect plenty more maidens to come.

There's still time for you to get in touch.

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Here we go then. The final session of this opening round of the 2017 County Championship season and we're in for a thrilling finish.

James Anderson comes charging in and is immediately driven by Ryan ten Doeschate to the boundary.

That's the Essex 250 up.

Image source, Rex Features

Here's a reminder of what's coming up on Good Friday when reigning champions Middlesex get their campaign under way at Hampshire...

Division One:

Hampshire v Middlesex

Somerset v Essex

Surrey v Lancashire

Warwickshire v Yorkshire

Division Two:

Derbyshire v Northants

Durham v Notts

Glamorgan v Worcestershire

Gloucestershire v Leicestershire

Sussex v Kent

Scott Read
BBC Radio Manchester Sport

The game will go into the final session still with two results possible thanks to a wonderful innings from Dan Lawrence and his 135 partnership with Tom Westley.

Essex supporters greeted the tea interval with increased optimism as the pitch appears to be getting flatter and wickets increasingly harder to come.

Should Essex survive 33 more overs, the least likely of the two results will be achieved after because of an impeccable performance by their young batsman.

Image source, Rex Features

• Hampshire chase 320 to beat Yorkshire at Headingley
• Kent skittle Gloucestershire for 61 in 334-run victory
• Mark Stoneman scores 165 on Surrey debut in innings win over Warwickshire
• Notts beat Leicestershire by 10 wickets as James Pattinson stars
• Northants thump Glamorgan inside two days

Away from the cricket for a moment - the BBC is looking to improve the experience of its live service, and improve how you watch videos online. 

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Two sessions down, one to go for Essex. Five wickets needed for Lancashire.

The players go off for tea with Dan Lawrence unbeaten on 105.

It's been a magnificent innings from the youngster, one that drew applause from the visiting players.

Essex will have 33 overs to survive after the interval.