Bopara capitalises for Essex

Ravi Bopara © Getty Images

Ravi Bopara made the most of his good fortune at Chelmsford to punish the Northamptonshire attack for his second successive LV County Championship Division Two century.

Fresh from his match-winning 147 not out in the previous game against Glamorgan, Bopara struck an unbeaten 155 as Essex reached the close on 309 for two on the opening day.

But he should have been making his way back to the pavilion without a run against his name when an outside edge flew head high just to the right of wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien.

But the 'keeper failed to hold on, a lapse that cost Steve Crook his second wicket in an over, the Australian having had Mark Pettini taken at second slip by David Sales two deliveries earlier.

Bopara also escaped on 90, again Crook the bowler to suffer as Stephen Peters put down a straightforward waist-high catch at first slip.

A few minutes later Bopara was celebrating a century that contained 12 fours and a six as O'Neill and Peters were left reflecting on their errors.

Seamer Steve Crook bowled with little luck for Northants

Bopara had so far gathered 78 in boundaries but not before he had another life. This time it was David Lucas who was the culprit as he spilt an easy catch at long leg immediately the batsman had completed his 150. Crook was again the suffering bowler.

Bopara made the most of his chances and went on to unleash several powerful cover drives and square cuts.

Keeping him company for most of the last two sessions was Grant Flower who in the absence of Ronnie Irani now has the opportunity to establish himself in the side.

Earlier in the day Irani announced he is to retire at the end of the season because of a serious knee injury, although he hopes to play in the occasional game.

Flower grabbed his opportunity with an entertaining 71 not out although he too was dropped - the Zimbabwean being put down at slip by Peters after reaching 52.

Peters had earlier taken a breathtaking catch to end a second-wicket partnership of 116.

Varun Chopra had made 50, including seven fours, when a ball from Jason Brown flew off the edge and well to the fielder's left.

But Peters dived full length to pluck the ball an inch above the turf to provide the off-spinner with a deserved success.

Bopara and Flower, who has so far helped himself to nine fours, have added 182 against a persevering Northants attack.

The luckless Crook has so far sent down 21 overs and conceded just 60 runs in gaining his solitary success, while Lance Klusener and Brown have each sent down 23 overs while conceding a mere 41 runs apiece.