for Tom Lammonbypublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 26 September 2020

14:29 BST 26 September 2020

Somerset 93-0

Two sweep shots for four in successive balls bring up a very classy half-century for Tom Lammonby.

It's taken just 73 balls and included nine fours.

Two more to the Somerset total as Ben Green and Tom Lammonby continue to accumulate.

The lead now up to 49.

Change of ends again for Sam Cook. He's going to have another go at the Nursery End.

Essex captain Tom Westley trying to keep Somerset guessing here.

Change of ends, same result for Simon Harmer.

Ben Green confidently sweeps him for four to the deep square leg rope.

There's half a chance of a catch at forward short leg for Ryan ten Doeschate, but it may well be Essex clutching at anything at this stage.

They need a breakthrough.

Little to worry either Tom Lammonby or Ben Green in that Paul Walter over.

Simon Harmer is switching ends meanwhile to replace Sam Cook at the Pavilion End.

Image source, Rex Features

Four more for Ben Green as he plays a lovely clip off his legs down to square leg.

Essex looking in need of a bit of a spark as once again this pitch seems to hold few demons for the batsmen.

Paul Walter comes on to replace Simon Harmer at the Nursery End.

Varun Chopra
Essex batsman on BBC 5 Radio Live Sports Extra

You have to give credit to the Somerset batsmen - they've applied themselves particularly Lammonby who's looked secure and positive.

It's a weird one for Somerset because they have to get a score to put pressure on Essex in the fourth innings but at the same time the wicket looks a bit flatter and calmer so they also need to get 10 wickets.

They are doing the right thing at the minute and playing really nicely.

Ben Green goes bigpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 26 September 2020

14:10 BST 26 September 2020

Somerset 65-0

Simon Harmer continues to get some tap.

Ben Green with a beautifully-timed shot into the legside for six over deep mid-wicket. Moves him on to 20.

Essex leaking runs here quite frequently.

Ben Green glances one down to fine leg and Aaron Beard makes a mess of trying to stop it going for four.

Sam Cook aborts his run-up twice in succession as the wind blows him off his stride. Hard work out there for the bowlers in these conditions.

Confident strokes continue from Tom Lammonby.

Skips down the pitch to Simon Harmer and lofts him away for a one-bounce four to long-on.

Wind continues to pick up meanwhile and we have some slightly more threatening-looking clouds approaching in the distance.

Sam Cook meanwhile is switching ends to replace Jamie Porter at the Pavilion End.

More glorious shots from Tom Lammonby.

Straight drive brilliantly between mid-off and mid-on and then a swivel pull for four more wide of long leg.

A nudged single into the legside brings up the 50 partnership for this Somerset opening pair off just 101 balls.

Bat certainly dominating ball right now.

Image source, Getty Images

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

A fascinating element will be how Somerset will cope with Harmer.

The ball is not spinning viciously by any stretch but Harmer has an aura he's also had a great deal of success and he's very confident, tempting to play the man not the ball with him at the moment he's on such a run.

Misjudged sweep shot from Tom Lammonby this time against Simon Harmer.

Not to be deterred though, he shows some neat footwork at the crease to come down the pitch.

Over finishes with a leg bye from half a shout for leg before.

Jamie Porter finds Ben Green's outside edge, but it falls well short of Simon Harmer at second slip.

Haven't seen much of that since lunch. Just the one run off the over.

Tim Hogarth: First innings lead, in the event of a draw, wins the trophy!? Bad rule, gives too much advantage to the winners of the toss...

Maiden over to start that spell for Simon Harmer.

Ben Green tries an agricultural-looking slog sweep mid-over and misses it completely.

Signal of intent?

Reg Cotterill: Have to say I don't get the Bob Willis Trophy 120 over first innings limit in the five-day final. Has disadvantaged Essex quite a bit. Just seems a weird oversight.

This may be an interesting move in the context of the match.

Simon Harmer is on at the Nursery End to replace Sam Cook....

Consecutive boundaries into the legside from Tom Lammonby see Somerset race to 39-0 and back ahead on the scoreboard.

Lammonby (28 not out) showing us a glimpse now on what we missed out on in the first innings when he was leg before for a duck off just his third ball.

Image source, Getty Images

Dave Foot: I think Somerset have done well to be level-ish in the match so far, considering Essex's quality and the conditions. For two days Somerset had to bat while overhead was grey and with frequent rain breaks. They go out to bowl and it brightens up and flattens out. Just as they come out to bat again in the second innings (today has been a microcosm of the match!), The clouds roll in again. A very valuable toss to win for Westley.