Akhter and Cook bowl Surrey out for 183 at Chelmsford

Essex’s seamers put the hosts in command on the opening day of their County Championship Division One match against Surrey at Chelmsford, dismissing the visitors for 183 before closing on 10-1. The ECB Reporters’ Network, in a report published by BBC Sport, said bad light stopped play after only 25 balls of Essex’s reply.

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Sam Cook returned to county duty after being released from the England squad at Lord’s and finished with 3-41. Ollie Pope, also released by England, made 13 from 22 balls for Surrey before Zaman Akhter bowled him with a delivery that stayed low. Akhter claimed 3-36.

Surrey had been put in after the start was delayed until after lunch. Rory Burns was trapped lbw by Jamie Porter, while Cook struck with his 10th delivery when former England opener Dom Sibley edged behind. Josh Blake was caught at second slip and Ben Foakes lasted three balls before Shane Snater dismissed him lbw.

Adam Thomas and Mahipal Lomror steadied the innings with a 52-run stand for the fifth wicket. That partnership ended immediately after tea when Thomas was run out while attempting a second run that he had not wanted. The fielding sequence involved Akhter and Michael Pepper, with the wicket completed at the non-striker’s end.

Thomas soon fell for Surrey’s top score of 43, edging Cook to third slip. Akhter then removed Pope and Matthew Fisher, while Rahul Chahar became Cook’s third wicket. Tom Lawes offered late resistance with 38, hitting eight fours, before Akhter dismissed him to complete his three-wicket return. Surrey’s innings lasted fewer than 54 overs.

Surrey answered quickly with the ball. Dan Worrall had Paul Walter caught behind as a late-swinging delivery gave the visitors their first wicket. Worrall and Fisher also struck Dean Elgar and Tom Westley on the hands with sharply rising balls before the umpires took the players off. Essex ended the day 173 runs behind with nine wickets remaining and held three points to Surrey’s none.