"Keep going pal."

Whisper it quietly, but Essex need 321 to win in a minimum of 65 overs.

They couldn't could they?

Image source, Rex Features

Fifty for Tom Westleypublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 10 April 2017

12:55 BST 10 April 2017

Essex 159 & 153-2 v Lancashire 319 & 317-3 dec

Shot! 

Tom Westley smears Jordan Clark through the covers for four to bring up his half-century off 163 balls.

His stand with Dan Lawrence also goes past 100.

It's been Essex's morning by a mile.

This is Dan Lawrence's eighth first-class fifty to go along with his four hundreds.

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Lad: Biggest mistake Lancashire made was not enforcing the follow-on, Essex should now comfortably force a draw on this pitch

Fifty for Dan Lawrencepublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 10 April 2017

12:47 BST 10 April 2017

Essex 159 & 146-2 v Lancashire 319 & 317-3 dec

Well batted Mr Lawrence.

The 19-year-old punches Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry through the off side for a single to bring up his half-century off 125 balls with seven fours.

Grit, determination, talent - all of these apply.

Image source, Rex Features

Here's a reminder of what's coming up on Good Friday, where 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

Nathan Fossey:  re: early season Div One table, were Somerset and Middlesex relegated last year?Takes a while for the cream to rise to the top.

Unfortunately, my tools would only allow me to create a top-six table Nathan. In fairness, I only did it to annoy BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright!

Dan Lawrence and Tom Westley's partnership is now worth 92 as Lawrence clips the final ball of Ryan McLaren's over to the fine-leg boundary.

They've been together for 42 overs.

Lawrence is just two away from a deserved half-century - mightily impressive batting from the 19-year-old.

Lily: Can't help but think that if we don't break this partnership by lunch, there's no way @LancsCCC, external will win this

Paul Hawkins: Westley & Lawrence finally showing some application and patience (with a little help from a docile pitch)   

Image source, Rex Features

Lancashire seamer Ryan McLaren is bowling the best spell of the morning here.

He nips one past Dan Lawrence and is suddenly finding a bit of movement.

30 minutes to go until lunch. Lawrence and Tom Westley will be desperate to stay there.

My colleague Phil Cartwright just called me a clown for publishing the Division One table (see 12.07).

"You've got two teams in there who haven't even played yet," he said.

It's his birthday, I probably shouldn't upset him.

"Come on ump, help us out!"

The pitch has gone flat as a pancake, that you accidentally sit on, at Chelmsford.

Dan Lawrence and Tom Westley are looking cool as cucumbers - that have been in fridge, at the back, where everything always freezes.

Image source, Rex Features

Andy Hood: Likely to lose today but if @EssexCricket, external could get some runs on the board then we could build some confidence for the season  

My colleague Phil Cartwright absolutely hates early-season tables. He says they're completely pointless.

Try telling that to Surrey fans. They're top of Division One.

Image source, Rex Features

After eight fruitless overs, James Anderson is replaced by Ryan McLaren.

Apart from his first couple of overs, when a few went past the outside edge, his spell was relatively untroubling.

It's an excellent first hour for Essex.

Surrey won't have to bat again. It's all over at The Oval...

Oh dear, James Anderson is fuming.

Jimmy digs one in short and Dan Lawrence has all the time in the world to pull it away to the mid-wicket boundary.

It was a really poor delivery and Lancashire are beginning to look a little frustrated.

First 45 minutes survived. Check.

Essex pair Tom Westley and Dan Lawrence have their eye in now.

Their stand is worth 65, but they'll want at least another 100 on top of that. I'd imagine.

Image source, Rex Features

Ollie Thorpe: Not very often it happens, but tuned into @backandacross, external for the fourth day in a row... Gripped to this match!

Enjoy the last few moments Ollie. Surrey are on the verge of victory.