Summary

  • Essex close on 271-6 as Somerset fight back after tea

  • Essex opener Cook out for brilliant 172

  • Somerset made 301 all out in first innings

  • Team with best first-innings score wins trophy if game drawn

Live Reporting

Gary Smee

  1. And that's where we'll leave it for today.

    Adam's report will be up on the BBC Sport website and app shortly.

    And we'll be back in the morning for day four. Hope to see you then.

  2. Somerset 301 v Essex 271-6

    And even if Essex do sneak into a first-innings advantage, it sets up the game nicely for the neutral because Somerset will have to come out and attack in their second innings.

    Don't forget, if it's a draw, the side with the best first-innings score lifts the trophy.

  3. Close of play

    Somerset 301 v Essex 271-6

    Jamie Porter defends the rest of Lewis Gregory's over and that's stumps.

    And what an entertaining day it's been.

    Alastair Cook's magnificent 172 was ended late in the final session as Somerset took five wickets after tea.

    They might concede a first-innings lead yet, but they're still right in this game.

  4. Essex 271-6

    Porter 5, Wheater 0

    Jamie Porter edges Lewis Gregory's first delivery low past the slips and down to the fence.

    Four crucial runs as the deficit is reduced to 30.

  5. Essex 267-6

    Porter 1, Wheater 0

    Adam Wheater is now solid in defence and confident leaving the ball as Craig Overton bowls a maiden.

    Lewis Gregory will bowl the last over of a fascinating third day...

    Craig OvertonRex Features

  6. Essex 267-6

    Gregory 19-3-54-4

    Jamie Porter sees out Lewis Gregory's 19th over. Gregory has four wickets today and has been Somerset's star man.

    Two overs to go tonight.

  7. Essex 267-6

    Porter 1, Wheater 0

    Jamie Porter gets off nought with a poke behind point.

    Three overs remain tonight. Can Somerset nip out another as the sun sets on Lord's?

  8. Essex 266-6

    Porter 0, Wheater 0

    Adam Wheater comes in at eight.

    Essex are still 35 behind. Somerset could well end up with a first-innings lead now you know! Madness.

  9. 'Cook batted beautifully'

    Varun Chopra
    Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports Extra

    It's a special knock from Alastair Cook, he has single handily lead this Essex reply to Somerset's 300.

    He's batted beautifully with some exquisite cover driving.

    When he's playing so straight and balanced he is a hard man to dismiss but Lewis Gregory has bowled that well and it's a very good catch from Craig Overton.

  10. wicket

    WICKET

    Cook c Overton b Gregory 172 (Essex 266-6)

    Alastair Cook's gone now!

    This is an incredible finish to day three. Cook fends Lewis Gregory to Craig Overton at second slip and the big man takes a sharp grab low down.

    It ends a fantastic innings of 172 - 383 minutes, 289 balls and 26 fours.

  11. Essex 264-5

    Cook 170, Porter 0

    Wicket-maiden for Craig Overton. Just what the doctor ordered for Somerset.

    Another wicket or two in the remaining five overs tonight would make things VERY interesting!

    Essex still trail by 37.

  12. Essex 264-5

    Cook 170, Porter 0

    Jamie Porter comes in as nightwatchman for Essex.

  13. 'Well deserved for Overton'

    Varun Chopra
    Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports Extra

    Height was perhaps a factor which may have gone for him, the umpire had no doubt and it was a swift decision.

    Well deserved for Craig Overton.

  14. wicket

    WICKET

    ten Doeschate lbw b Overton 21 (Essex 264-5)

    Hello!

    Craig Overton goes full and it's bang on the money. It hits Ryan ten Doeschate on the pad and up goes the finger without hesitation.

    Essex still trail by 37. Can Somerset claim a remarkable and crucial first-innings lead?

  15. Essex 264-4

    Cook 170, ten Doeschate 21

    No alarms for Essex as Lewis Gregory takes the new ball from the Pavilion End.

    Just the single off the bat of Ryan ten Doeschate.

  16. Essex 263-4

    Cook 170, ten Doeschate 20

    Craig Overton comes back well after conceding a boundary from the first delivery, but Essex still manage a couple of singles.

    Ryan ten Doeschate was just the man Essex needed to come in after that wobble straight after tea. The 40-year-old is up to 20 and his stand with Alastair Cook worth 55.

  17. 'An important passage of play now'

    Varun Chopra
    Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports Extra

    A key half hour coming up for both sides.

    Somerset realistically know that they are going to lose on the first innings total, it's going to take something really dramatic to bowl out this Essex side.

    So, they'll be thinking that this new ball has got to do some damage.

  18. Essex 261-4

    Cook 169, ten Doeschate 19

    Alastair Cook guides Craig Overton's wayward first delivery with the new ball down to the fine-leg boundary.

    Essex are 40 shy of Somerset's first-innings total.

  19. Get Involved

    Tweet using #bbccricket

    Louise Graham: If this game is a draw there should be a super session.

    Herb Acius: Such a lot to like about Josh Davey - no fuss, no strops, just runs in all day and puts it on a length - what a pro.

    Ryan Hemmings: When’s the new ball available? From a desperate Somerset fan.

    Right now Ryan!

  20. new ball

    New ball

    Somerset 301 v Essex 257-4

    Of course they will take it. Craig Overton is back.