Charlie Allison Century Leads Essex Fightback Against Somerset

Charlie Allison made an unbeaten century as Essex recovered from the threat of an innings defeat against Somerset on day three of their County Championship Division One match at Taunton. Essex closed on 314-3 in their second innings, three runs ahead, after Somerset had posted 469 and dismissed the visitors for 158 first time around.

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The BBC, carrying a report from the ECB Reporters' Network, said Allison finished on 105 not out from 219 balls. His innings included 13 fours and two sixes. Matt Critchley was unbeaten on 76 alongside him, with their unbroken fourth-wicket partnership worth 187 runs by stumps.

Essex resumed their second innings on 59 without loss. Paul Walter and Dean Elgar extended the opening stand to 82 before Jake Ball bowled Walter for 43. Elgar reached 56 but edged Migael Pretorius to wicketkeeper James Rew, leaving Essex 127-2. Without another run added, captain Tom Westley drove Jack Leach to Tom Abell at cover.

Allison and Critchley then halted Somerset's progress. Allison reached 50 from 88 deliveries, while the pair's partnership passed 100 from 225 balls. At tea, Essex were 232-3, with Allison on 60 and Critchley on 39, and neither batter was removed during the final session.

Somerset took the second new ball before the interval, and Pretorius found movement after tea without producing a breakthrough. Allison completed his hundred from 185 balls with a single off Leach. Critchley reached his second half-century of the match from 170 deliveries and survived a chance when Lewis Gregory dropped an edge at first slip. Critchley's boundary in the final over moved Essex into the lead.

Somerset captain Gregory had missed the first two sessions after suffering a badly bruised hip while fielding on day two, with Rew leading the side in his absence. Gregory returned later in the day, but Essex's resistance left Somerset facing a demanding final day in their attempt to force a victory. The match remains unresolved, with Essex holding seven second-innings wickets and only a narrow advantage.