Somerset 155-2published at 15:20 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Lead by 119 runs
A rare maiden over as Simon Harmer twirls away from the Pavilion End to Tom Lammonby.
The light meanwhile has got a touch dimmer in the last few minutes.
Summary
Somerset close on 227-7 - lead by 191
Somerset opener Lammonby makes 116
Essex close on 337-8 with first-innings lead of 36
Team with best first-innings score wins trophy if game drawn
Somerset 155-2published at 15:20 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
'He delivers'published at 15:19 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Varun Chopra
Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports ExtraAs so often when the captain needs a wicket he throws the ball to Jamie Porter and he delivers.
WICKETpublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Abell c Browne b Porter 15 (Somerset 155-2)
Image source, Getty ImagesJamie Porter returns from the Nursery End and does the trick with a wicket.
Tom Abell lofts him straight into Nick Browne's hands at square leg for a simple catch.
Ends a very quick-fire 50 partnership between him and Tom Lammonby.
Somerset lead by 119.
Somerset 152-1published at 15:12 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Lammonby 89, Abell 15
Simon Harmer is not enjoying this.
His 12 overs so far have been wicketless for 50 runs.
Tom Abell cuts him away with ease for four more to push Somerset's lead on to 116.
Watch: England's Sciver hits 'brilliant' 82published at 15:10 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Meanwhile at Derby....
England look set to go 3-0 up in the T20 series against West Indies as they defend 154 live on BBC Two right now.
You can watch the best shots as Nat Sciver scored 82 from 61 balls in England's innings earlier.
Somerset 147-1published at 15:07 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Lammonby 88, Abell 11
Well, this Tom Lammonby innings has certainly moved this game on during this session.
Mind you, the ground staff have remained poised on that hover cover for some time as well clearly thinking we might have a shower arriving.
There is the odd glimpse of some sunshine just as I type that though.
Somerset's lead meanwhile goes past 100 and Essex seem to be out of answers currently. Tom Abell gets in on the act with back-to-back fours of his own off Aaron Beard.
As Somerset's total reaches 147 - Essex need snookers.
Postpublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Radio 5 live Sports ExtraLammonby's clearly not overawed by Alastair Cook looking on from first slip.
Somerset 135-1published at 15:03 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Lammonby 88, Abell 3
Boundary number 14 swiftly follows for Tom Lammonby.
Simon Harmer is driven straight down the ground all along the carpet to the Pavilion gate.
Two balls later, it's a skip down the pitch and four more through mid-wicket past a diving Dan Lawrence.
He's on to 88 off 107 balls now!
Somerset 125-1published at 15:00 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Lammonby 78, Abell 3
Uppish leg glance from Tom Lammonby has Essex interested for a second but it lands well out of Simon Harmer's reach at mid-wicket.
But three successive boundaries follow that from the left-hander.
A brilliant cut shot in front of square, a tickle down to fine leg and a cover drive.
Finishes off the over with a nicely judged single as he dabs it down into the offisde. Suddenly he has 78 off 101 balls and the scoreboard continues to motor for Somerset.
Image source, Getty ImagesSomerset 110-1published at 14:55 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Lead by 74 runs
Simon Harmer has a long chat with skipper Tom Westley before bringing a few closer fielders to new man Tom Abell.
Essex looking to just rein in the scoring here while Abell is showing signs he wants to be positive in his strokeplay off both front and back foot.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 14:55 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Tweet using #bbccricket
Jay Morais: Somerset batted well through a very disruptive, first day and a half. Essex then had an uninterrupted session to reach their total, mainly thanks to Sir Cook. 2nd Innings, well done to Somerset, knowing they must bat well and bowl out Essex to win. Swing that bat!
Somerset 107-1published at 14:52 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Lammonby 61, Abell 2
An attempt at an expansive cover drive by Tom Abell sees him swing and miss off Aaron Beard.
Gets off the mark next ball though with a couple of runs tucked off his hip into the legside.
Somerset 105-1published at 14:47 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Lead by 69 runs
A TomTom partnership at the crease for Somerset now.
Can they navigate their side to an historic red-ball trophy?
(Other brands of satellite navigation system are available).
Maiden over from Simon Harmer.
Postpublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Somerset skipper Tom Abell comes out to join Tom Lammonby at number three....
WICKETpublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Green c A Cook b Beard 41 (Somerset 105-1)
There's the breakthrough Essex needed!
Aaron Beard does the trick from just his fifth ball as he squares up Ben Green and finds his edge where Alastair Cook takes a smart catch at first slip.
Green departs for a very well-made 41 off 80 balls. Somerset lead by 69.
Image source, Rex FeaturesPostpublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Time for Aaron Beard to have a bowl for the first time in this innings from the Nursery End.
He needs to produce something a bit special otherwise this is racing away from the county champions...
Somerset 102-0published at 14:38 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Green 41, Lammonby 58
100 up for Somerset from just 160 balls.
Ben Green once again confidently gets down on one knee and sweeps Simon Harmer for four in front of square.
The lead now up to 66.
Somerset 98-0published at 14:35 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Green 37, Lammonby 58
Certainly are Varun...
Tom Lammonby strikes his 10th four in emphatic style off Sam Cook straight down the ground to move on to 58.
We're seeing exactly why he made consecutive tons in the last two group matches. Somerset are moving this match on at a pace at the moment as their lead grows to 62.
Postpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Varun Chopra
Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports ExtraA few headaches out there for the Essex boys.
Image source, Getty ImagesWatch: England set West Indies 155published at 14:32 British Summer Time 26 September 2020
Just to remind you, there's also live cricket on BBC Two right now.
England women have set West Indies 155 to win the third T20 international at Derby. Nat Sciver made 82.
Follow it all on the page below.
Catch-up: England look to wrap up series against West Indies
England women win the third Twenty20 by 20 runs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series at Derby.
Read More