Dominant Essex wrap up innings victory

Essex wasted little time in picking up the six Northamptonshire wickets they needed on the final day to secure their second County Championship win of the season. Ryan ten Doeschate claimed figures of 4 for 31 before Graham Napier returned to wrap up the victory 17 balls after lunch.

Facing a race against the forecast for rain, Essex got off to a flying start, as Jamie Porter picked up his eighth wicket of the match - and 22nd of the season - with a delivery that reared at Richard Levi, who fended to point where Dan Lawrence took a fine catch in the third over of the day.

This brought Adam Rossington, who was the main source of resistance in Northamptonshire's first innings, to the crease. In the company of nightwatchman Azharullah, Rossington dug in once more, sharing 21 in 17 overs until ten Doeschate, the fifth bowler used by Essex, pinned him leg-before playing back.

At the other end, Azharullah lived a charmed life, edging just short of Alastair Cook at first slip in the first over of the day, and later on short of fourth slip. Between times, when he was on 6, James Foster shelled a tough chance diving one-handed to his right off Porter.

David Murphy came and went, playing a beautiful straight drive, then almost being caught and bowled, before finally slapping straight to mid-on, all in a single ten Doeschate over. With the last ball of his next, the Essex captain ended Azharullah's 88-ball resistance as he was adjudged lbw.

With Rory Kleinveldt and Richard Gleeson defending stoically - and peppering the third man boundary - Essex extended the session by 15 minutes in pursuit of the final two wickets. After 12 of those minutes, and a couple more loud lbw appeals, the players left the field as a passing shower struck.

The win, which was set up by half-centuries for each of Essex's top five across the rain-ravaged first two days, was secured almost immediately after the break. Gleeson miscued ten Doeschate straight to fine leg 14 balls after lunch, and while Kleinveldt hammered him down the ground for four next ball, Napier returned to finish the job, castling Ben Sanderson with a perfect yorker second ball.

The win gave Essex 23 points, securing their place atop Division Two going into the fourth round of matches, when they head to New Road to face Worcestershire. Northamptonshire headed home with just one.