County Championship - day one (close)

Essex 159 v Somerset 118-5

FIFTEEN wickets fell on an eventful first day at Chelmsford which ended with Somerset 41 runs behind after they had earlier bowled out leaders Essex for 159.

Championship debutant Paul van Meekeren (4-60) teamed up with Craig Overton (4-40) and Tim Groenewald (2-25) to skittle the hosts cheaply, but Somerset lost early wickets in reply and were grateful to James Hildreth (51) for steadying the ship.

Having won the toss and opted to bat, Essex added 19 for the first wicket before van Meekeren made the breakthrough, trapping Varun Chopra in front with a full delivery.

Talented youngster Dan Lawrence then fell quickly after a loose drive off van Meekeren landed safely in the hands of James Hildreth at first slip, and Essex were soon 36-3 when Overton removed Ravi Bopara.

That became 39-4 when Adam Wheater became Tim Groenewald's 350th First Class scalp, the batsman pinned in front as he paid the price for playing across the line.

Nick Browne and Ryan ten Doeschate negotiated the rest of the morning session, but Somerset struck quickly after lunch as Overton had ten Doeschate snaffled by Marcus Trescothick at second slip for 35.

The home side's wobble continued as Browne (44) top edged an attempted hook of Overton which was well taken by van Meekeren, and Groenewald then had James Foster caught by Hildreth as Essex slumped to 98-7.

The lower order hung around to delay Somerset's progress, but van Meekeren returned to dismiss Paul Walter (17) and Simon Harmer (12) before Overton took a fourth wicket of his own to end the innings at 159.

Somerset could not continue their momentum with the bat, however, and lost Marcus Trescothick (2) in the fifth over as he nicked behind off Jamie Porter.

Tim Rouse (4) and Eddie Byrom (5) soon followed as Somerset slipped to 20-3, but James Hildreth and Tom Abell added a vital 68 for the fourth wicket.

Just as it looked as though the pair would guide Somerset to the close, however, Porter returned to the attack and dismissed both in the space of two overs.

Abell was the first to depart, edging to slip on 30, and Hildreth was able to add only one to his 67-ball half century before he lifted a short ball to Ravi Bopara.

Steve Davies (7*) and nightwatchman Jack Leach (8*) dug in against Porter and Mohammad Amir and will resume in the morning hoping to guide the visitors towards what would be a crucial first innings lead.