Foster on form in finale

Essex wicketkeeper James Foster issued a reminder of his batting abilities with a century on the second day of the LV County Championship Division Two match with Gloucestershire at Bristol.

The one-time England wicketkeeper took his overnight 68 to 122 as Essex posted 510 on a docile pitch.

Foster, who won the last of his seven Test caps in 2003, struck nine fours in his 192-ball innings.

James Middlebrook also contributed a fine 75, while former Somerset youngster Rob Woodman marked his Gloucestershire debut with a career-best 4-65.

Gloucestershire struggled to 72 for three in reply before bad light cut the last 15 overs off the day's play.

Essex resumed in the morning on 318 for five and lost the wicket of Ryan ten Doeschate in the eighth over of the day when he played across the line to Steve Kirby and was lbw.

Gloucestershire had to wait 16 overs and 107 runs for another wicket as Foster and Middlebrook batted with ease.

James Middlebrook ably supported James Foster with a fine 75 to heighten Gloucestershire's misery

Foster reached his 163-ball century with a square drive for two runs off Kirby and Middlebrook hit the first six of the innings soon after off Richard Dawson.

The wicketkeeper’s innings came to an end in the second over after lunch when he thick-edged a drive off Kirby to Will Porterfield at gully.

Left-arm seamer Woodman, who is on trial from the MCC Young Cricketers, claimed the last three wickets.

Chris Wright miscued a pull to David Brown at midwicket, Tony Palladino was caught by wicketkeeper Steve Snell standing up to the stumps and Middlebrook skied a drive to Kadeer Ali at wide mid-on, having struck nine fours and two sixes in his 117-ball innings.

The Essex attack was missing Danish Kaneria, Graham Napier and David Masters but Gloucestershire still found themselves in trouble at 49 for three in the 25th over.

Kadeer was the first to go when he was leg before to Palladino for six and Hamish Marshall was dismissed for 13 when he shouldered arms to Jahid Ahmed and was bowled.

Woodman's first innings for Gloucestershire ended in tame fashion when he cut loosely at Wright and Jaik Mickleburgh took a straightforward catch at point.

Only another six overs were possible before umpires Peter Willey and Tim Robinson took the players off shortly after 5pm, with Porterfield on 31 and Taylor on 14.