Dean Elgar’s hundred took Essex closer to Durham’s first-innings total in a battle to avoid relegation at the 2025 County Championship in Chelmsford.
After bowling out Durham for 333, Elgar (140 not out) and Matt Critchley (97 not out) came together with Essex on 158-3. They were still there after nearly two and a half hours of batting as Essex finished the day on 312-3. Ben Raine, Callum Parkinson, and Colin Ackermann have taken a wicket apiece.
Away from professional cricket since end-July – he spent the last month in South Africa – Elgar faced 264 balls during his 340-minute stay at the crease. The hundred, his 53rd in first-class cricket (fifth for Essex), included 16 fours and a six. His last century in the format, 182 for Essex against Surrey, came in September 2024.
Earlier in the day, Essex needed only 26 balls to wrap up the Durham innings that had resumed on 316-8. Ben McKinney (121) and captain Alex Lees (94) were the major contributors in the visitors’ eventual total of 333, a total less than what they would have expected at 189-1. For Essex, Jamie Porter returned 4-77 and Doug Bracewell 3-70.
Essex have so far secured all three bowling points and two batting points to reach 129. If they reach 450, they will get two more batting points. Their two batting points, on the other hand, have taken Durham to 116. Between them, at eighth place, are Yorkshire (127), against whom Somerset have scored 391-6 at Taunton.
All of them are well clear of Worcestershire (92). After conceding a 25-run lead to Nottinghamshire at New Road, they are 93-5 in the second innings. However, the teams have two games each after this round.
Match 100, Essex vs Durham
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