Right then - it's almost time for the evening session on this third day to begin.

We've got minimum of 33 overs still to be bowled in this so far run-drenched day.

What state will the game be in come stumps I wonder?

The man who'll take you through it all is Gary Smee.

Didithevan!: Sadly as a Somerset fan, they have once again bottled in at their big moment. #beenherebefore, external

Keep the faith! We saw a momentum swing in the last session of play yesterday, so who can tell?

Don't forget - you can hear Anthony Gibson and Paul Newton's commentary in a joint BBC Radio Somerset and BBC Essex production by searching through the Live Coverage options at the top of this page.

Luke Almond: This game could really do with an Essex collapse soon, particularly now that Cook has his hundred, last thing we want is a bore draw to decide the title. (Speaking as a neutral)

That's one way of looking at it. Essex will no doubt want this to carry on and potentially have themselves in the lead by the close of play if it all goes to script.

But, that's the beauty of this game, you never know what's around the corner.

Healthy applause from those inside the ground of a playing and non-playing capacity as Alastair Cook and Tom Westley head off up the steps into the Pavilion at Lord's.

They've moved their side on from 79-1 at lunch to 196-1 at tea on this third day.

They still trail Somerset by 105 runs and there should be a second new ball before stumps to come, but this has well and truly been the county champions' day so far.

A maiden over from Jack Leach to finish the session.

Tom Westley tried his best to pierce the offside field, but Somerset were alert.

Tough going for them as they go wicketless throughout the afternoon.

Two more runs clipped away off his legs takes Alastair Cook past his previous-best of 129 not out this season, which came in the rain-affected draw against Hampshire at Arundel.

Just the two off that Tom Lammonby over as we head to what will be the last before tea.

Can Somerset end this barren session from their perspective with a wicket?

Something to gee the Somerset fielders up a bit as Jack Brooks makes a brilliant diving stop at square leg to cut off a certain boundary for Tom Westley.

Somerset's heads look down as we approach tea, but they will want to keep fighting for a breakthrough while still in the lead.

If Essex do get a first-innings advantage and the game ends in a draw, Essex are champions.

for Tom Westleypublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 25 September 2020

15:22 BST 25 September 2020

Essex 193-1 (Westley 51, Cook 128)

Another loose delivery from Tom Lammonby down the legside and Alastair Cook laps that up for another leg glance for four.

Last ball of the over has Tom Westley back on strike and he clips away his seventh four off 128 balls to reach his half-century.

That's his first 50 of the season in first-class cricket and what a time to get it from the Essex skipper.

Another square cut for four from Alastair Cook leaves Jack Leach with plenty to ponder.

Somerset need something out of nothing here.

Image source, Getty Images

Couple more overs pass by from Jack Leach and Tom Lammonby and in that time, Alastair Cook and Tom Westley's partnership for the second wicket passes 150 off 269 balls.

Around 15 minutes to go until tea and Essex have now faced 60 of the permitted 120 overs in this first innings.

Two leg glances for four off the first three balls of Tom Lammonby's over move Alastair Cook on to 118.

Easy pickings.

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

It's been a terrific innings from Cook but it's not a pleasant environment to bowl, it's cold, windy and sunny so the wicket is behaving.

Just the one run off Jack Leach's sixth over from the Nursery End.

Alastair Cook nudges a single behind square leg.

Somerset are going to give Tom Lammonby a go with the ball from the Pavilion End.

Craig Overton continues his short ball approach to Tom Westley.

He swings and misses at the first attempted pull shot and then ducks under the next one.

A rare maiden over for Somerset as they head off to have another hand-sanitising break.

Richard Vaughan: Shock horror: Alastair Cook is still a brilliant batsman. Well batted, Sir Chef.

Steve Latimore: This lad Cook can play.

Meman: Classic Chef. Just the 67 First Class centuries now. What a brilliant batsman and still only 35 years old! God I feel old.

A lot of love for Sir Alastair Cook and rightly so, we agree he can still play.

Tom Westley's turn to tuck into a short and wide delivery from Jack Leach.

Cuts four to the point fence down the slope to move into the 40s.

Somerset struggling to stem the tide here.

Image source, Rex Features

Craig Overton digs one in short to try something a bit different to Tom Westley.

The Essex skipper ducks under it and Rob Bailey gives Overton the "one for the over" signal.

This is uncharted territory at the moment for this Somerset bowling attack having not conceded more than 200 to anyone in the competition this season.

More steady accumulation for Cook and Westley with three more singles off that Jack Leach over.

Been tough toil this for Somerset on a horrible day to field too in the stiff breeze.

Varun Chopra
Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports Extra

Cook has looked very assured today, he knew leading up to the game that he was going to be well prepared for it and really up for the battle.

He has shown all his skill, class and application.