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. Essex 257-4

    Cook 165, ten Doeschate 19

    Just a single to Alastair Cook off Jack Leach's 22nd over as the shadows lengthen at Lord's.

    Right, will Somerset take the new ball?

  2. Essex 256-4

    Cook 164, ten Doeschate 19

    Streaky from Ryan ten Doeschate!

    The former Essex captain edges the final delivery of Tom Lammonby's over to the fence.

    One over to go until the new ball is available.

  3. Essex 251-4

    Cook 163, ten Doeschate 15

    Alastair Cook slices Jack Leach behind point and they run three to take Essex past 250. Still got the legs after six hours at the crease has the 35-year-old.

    Ryan ten Doeschate is five years his senior, but a bit fresher!

  4. Essex 248-4

    Cook 160, ten Doeschate 15

    Another tidy over from medium-pacer Tom Lammonby - a second maiden in a row in fact.

    These two experienced Essex heads know if they're still there at stumps, they may have one hand on the trophy.

  5. Essex 248-4

    Cook 160, ten Doeschate 15

    Alastair Cook moves to 160 with a nice clip for two off Jack Leach.

    A couple of singles before that as the game continues to drift along with the new ball on the horizon.

  6. 'Somerset have stalled the run rate'

    Vic Marks
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra

    After that little furry of three wickets Somerset haven't been able to grab another one but they have managed to stall the run rate.

    Jack Leach has bowled 19 overs now and he hasn't got a wicket but he's been on target and kept things quite.

  7. Essex 244-4

    Cook 157, ten Doeschate 14

    A second maiden in a row, this time from the returning Tom Lammonby.

    The new ball is due in five overs... anyone remember what happened yesterday around this time?

  8. Essex 244-4

    Cook 157, ten Doeschate 14

    Alastair Cook is happy to block out Jack Leach's latest over of spin.

    14 overs remain on day three. Can Essex creep into a lead? They need another 58.

  9. Essex 244-4

    Cook 157, ten Doeschate 14

    The buoyancy Somerset had just after tea when they took those three quick wickets is beginning to fade a little.

    Josh Davey slings one down onto Ryan ten Doeschate's pads and he flicks it fine for four.

    Davey goes straight again, ten Doeshcate misses, but it was sliding down leg.

    Essex trail by 57.

  10. Anything can happen...

    Adam Williams
    BBC Sport at Lord's

    If you're still unsure which way the pendulum might swing in this final as we enter the last hour of this third day, let me give you two things to ponder.

    1) Essex's highest total in this competition so far this season is 298.

    2) Somerset slumped from 266-5 to 301 all out when Essex took the second new ball in the evening session yesterday.

    I think the expression is "delicately poised".

  11. Essex 239-4

    Cook 156, ten Doeschate 10

    LeachRex Features

    Jack Leach rattles through his 18th over as three singles come off it. Still wicketless is poor Jack. I must say I'm missing his big grin - no doubt a breakthrough would bring that!

  12. Essex 236-4

    Cook 154, ten Doeschate 9

    Maiden from Josh Davey. Somerset need a few more of those just to put a bit of pressure back on Essex.

  13. Essex 236-4

    Cook 154, ten Doeschate 9

    Boundary number 25 for Cooky.

    Jack Leach strays outside off stump and Alastair Cook slaps him to the rope - the umpteenth time he's played that shot in this innings.

  14. 'Cook still leads from the front'

    Varun Chopra
    Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports Extra

    It's remarkable hunger from Cook to achieve what he achieved in the game, he still turns up for Essex and still leads from the front

  15. 150 runs

    for Cook

    Essex 231-4

    Alastair Cook punches Jack Leach straight and has to sprint to make his ground. A direct hit and it may have been close.

    But it takes him to 150 off 251 balls with 24 fours. A magnificent knock and there may well be more to come.

  16. Essex 230-4

    Cook 149, ten Doeschate 8

    Alastair Cook squeezes out a single off Josh Davey to move to 149.

    I wonder if he'll see this as one of his finest innings once it's been and gone? Some of his strokeplay through the off side has been outstanding.

  17. Essex 229-4

    Cook 148, ten Doeschate 8

    Runs are beginning to come again for Essex. Ryan ten Doeschate wristily guides Jack Leach past slip and down to the boundary.

    They're 73 runs away from what could be a crucial and match-winning first-innings lead.

  18. Essex 225-4

    Cook 148, ten Doeschate 4

    Gorgeous shot from Alastair Cook. Josh Davey overpitches and Cook strokes him through the covers to move to 148.

    Next ball Cook is plonked on the pad on the front foot - massive appeal from the bowler and slip cordon but it's turned down. He may have got outside the line.

  19. Essex 219-4

    Cook 143, ten Doeschate 3

    Ryan ten Doeschate pushes forward to Jack Leach and is struck on the pad, the spinner appeals but the umpire shakes his head.

    Two off the over. Another wicket for Somerset would make things hugely interesting.

  20. Essex 217-4

    Cook 143, ten Doeschate 1

    Ryan ten Doeschate squeezes one off his pads, just about, to get off the mark.

    A couple of singles off Lewis Gregory's 16th over. The England seamer has 3-51.