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
Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra
It carried and it went to one of the best slippers certainly in the country in Craig Overton.
Any slip catch in these conditions is a very good one, because it's cold.
Somerset will feel relived because you feel you've got to get new ball wickets, it'll be tougher as the innings go on as the ball gets softer.
Browne c Overton b Gregory 8 (Essex 27-1)
Lewis Gregory makes the breakthrough!
The Somerset paceman comes around the wicket, tempts Nick Browne to play at one outside off stump and the left-hander edges to Craig Overton at second slip. Overton makes no mistake with those big mits of his.
Image source, Rex FeaturesSomerset 301 v Essex 27-0
Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Lord's
In terms of bat winning over ball, this is following a similar pattern to yesterday's morning session so far, if not maybe at a slightly slower scoring rate.
Essex have performed best against the three new balls used so far in this final having got through the first dozen overs without losing a wicket.
But, when the clouds roll over and the sun disappears, it could be a very different story.
Cook 19, Browne 8
Jack Brooks comes into the attack, replacing Craig Overton, and it's a maiden to begin.
The sun is still shining brightly at Lord's... it's just the gale force northerly wind taking the edge off things!
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Darryl Smith: I am an Essex fan so you would expect me to say it, but for sake of the game Essex need to pass 301. If not, there's no incentive for Somerset to set anything up in 3rd innings, which will need to happen if we lose more time from the game.
Cook 19, Browne 8
Lewis Gregory replaces Josh Davey and starts with a maiden.
Watchful stuff from Nick Browne who's faced 41 balls for his eight runs.
Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra
It's a big difference the challenge for the batmen when you are facing the first 20 overs against the new ball.
It's that new ball surface and the frustration is that nicks don't quite carry.
Cook 19, Browne 8
Image source, Getty ImagesCraig Overton is not looking particularly amused right now.
Nick Browne pokes forward and the ball sneaks past the left-hander's edge.
Browne then grabs a quick single off the final ball of the over. Overton clearly feels he should have a bit of reward for his graft this morning.
Cook 19, Browne 7
Essex continue to nudge and nurdle the ball around, taking three singles off Josh Davey's fifth over.
Good start this for the 2019 county champions.
They trail by 275.
Cook 18, Browne 5
Shot Cookie!
A defiant dismissive pull shot off Craig Overton bounces once before the square leg boundary and clatters into the fence in front of the Tavern Stand.
Overton finds the edge again off the last ball of the over, but once more it lands short of the slip cordon.
Another yelp of frustration from the Somerset seamer accompanies it.
Image source, Rex FeaturesCook 14, Browne 5
Josh Davey finds Nick Browne's outside edge, but it lands safely in front of third slip to the Essex opener's relief.
Ends the over with a couple of runs as this time he opens the face and controls it along the ground behind point.
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Josh Cooper: Working from home with the #bobwillistrophy on another screen on #bbccricket Watching Alistair Cook bat. God, I've missed watching Alistair Cook bat. Loving life right now.
Cook 13, Browne 3
Image source, Rex FeaturesFirst hand-sanitising break of the morning all complete and Craig Overton wheels away for another over from the Nursery End.
Another couple of runs into the legside for Alastair Cook as Jack Brooks gives chase out to deep mid-wicket.
Bit of a false shot off the back foot though later in the over as he's beaten by his outside edge and then edges over the top of gully repeating the shot.
Overton let's out a very audible cry of "AARGH!" as it races away for four more.
As mentioned, a much drier and brighter morning down in north west London.
What's the day's forecast got in store?
Simon King from the BBC Weather Centre has the full details...
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Matthew L Williams: Ah man, how good is it to see Alistair Cook batting again vs Somerset?! So comforting to watch.
Cook 8, Browne 3
Alastair Cook is getting into his stride.
The Essex opener guides Josh Davey down to fine leg for a couple and then takes a single.
All looking relatively comfortable so far for the Essex pair.
Cook 5, Browne 3
Classic Alastair Cook!
The left-hander clips Craig Overton off his legs, the ball pulls up just inside the rope and they run three.
Nick Browne follows with a couple of his own. Five off the over.
Cook 2, Browne 1
Alastair Cook steals a single off the final ball of Josh Davey's second over.
A solid, if unspectacular, start from Essex.
Cook 1, Browne 1
Alastair Cook swishes at a wide one from Craig Overton and misses.
England's leading Test run scorer then gets off the mark with a push into the off side.
I guess if Essex do score 302 or more and take a first-innings lead, then Somerset would have to make all the running in their second innings to try and give them something to bowl at. Plenty of twists and turns to come ladies and gents!
Varun Chopra
Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports Extra
Really crucial first half hour this morning with the new ball.
Somerset's attack has been fairly potent with that new ball and all of their seamers averaging very low.
With the weather that we've had it will be important for Essex to get off to a good start and try and nullify that.