Essex heading for easy victory against Gloucestershire

6 April 2012

County Championship Division Two, Chelmsford

Close, day two: Essex 364 v Gloucestershire 180 & 55-5

Essex 7pts, Gloucestershire 3pts

Essex are heading for a comfortable win after Gloucestershire endured a miserable second day at Chelmsford.

The visitors had to follow on after they were dismissed for 180 in reply to Essex's total of 364 on Thursday.

Only Dan Housego (39) and Chris Dent (38) made more than 20, with three wickets apiece for David Masters, Maurice Chambers and Tymal Mills.

Graham Napier then took the first three wickets of the visitors' second innings as Gloucestershire limped to 55-5.

Gloucestershire are still 129 runs behind with only five wickets remaining and will have to battle to avoid an innings' defeat.

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