Nel gives Essex late edge

Vernon Philander chipped in with three wickets as Essex eked out 207 © Getty Images

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Andre Nel unleashed a devastating burst with the new ball as Essex hit back strongly on the second day of their LV County Championship Division Two match against Middlesex at Chelmsford.

The South African fast bowler roared in to grab three wickets in the space of six deliveries without conceding a run, after Middlesex had established a first innings lead of 95 runs.

His extra pace and bounce led to the dismissals of Andrew Strauss, Shaun Udal - who was removed first ball after coming in as nightwatchman - and Ed Smith, who departed without scoring for the second time in the match.

As a result, the visitors closed on 19 for three and were left feeling somewhat deflated following a fine performance from young paceman Danny Evans.

Evans turned in a career-best performance after Middlesex, resuming at 263 for seven, had lost their remaining wickets while adding a further 39.

The 20-year-old claimed 6-35 in 14.4 overs, which was just reward for the way he maintained a nagging line and length on a pitch which afforded encouraging bounce throughout the day.

Thanks largely to his efforts Essex were bowled out for 207, their last six wickets tumbling in the space of 27 runs.

Four of those fell to Evans at a personal cost of seven runs in 4.5 overs, while South African medium-pacer Vernon Philander provided the main support with 3-45.

The only prolonged resistance came from Jason Gallian and 19-year-old Tom Westley, who between them scored over half of their side's runs.

They shared in the only partnership of note, one of 72 before Gallian became Evans' first victim, caught behind by David Nash after gathering eight fours in a battling 56.

Westley, who caught the eye with several well-timed drives, contributed 60 containing nine boundaries, before Philander found the edge to have him snapped up in the slips by Strauss.

It was also Philander who cut short Alastair Cook's innings just when he was looking set for a substantial score.

The England opener had struck six fours in moving to 25 but then departed lbw while trying to work the ball off his legs - the third time in five first-class innings this summer he has succumbed in the twenties.

Only one of the last six Essex batsmen managed to reach double figures - Ryan ten Doeschate made 23 before having his off-stump knocked out of the ground while shouldering arms against Tim Murtagh.