Essex v Leicestershire: Hosts build big total

County Championship Division Two, Chelmsford

Close, day two: Essex 434-3 dec v Leicestershire 32-2

Essex 4pts, Leics 1pt

Match scorecard

Tom Westley and Jaik Mickleburgh both hit centuries as Essex built a big first-innings score against Leicestershire at Chelmsford.

Resuming on 161-0, the pair took their opening stand to 248 before Mickelburgh was run out for 126 and Westley soon followed for 125.

But Mark Pettini (72 not out) and Ryan ten Doeschate (63 not out) continued the assault as Essex declared on 434-3.

David Masters then struck twice as Leicestershire closed on 32-2.

The partnership between Westley and Mickleburgh was the first double-century opening stand for Essex since Alastair Cook and Will Jefferson achieved the feat in 2004, also against Leicestershire.