Middlesex fight back at Chelmsford

Gareth Berg posted his maiden half-century in first-class cricket as Middlesex recovered from 139 for seven at Chelmsford

Middlesex recovered from a poor start with the bat to take control on day one of their LV= County Championship Division Two match against Essex.

Half-centuries from Gareth Berg and Murali Kartik led the visitors to a respectable total of 274, before Essex stumbled to 54 for four at the close.

Berg and Kartik came together following the loss of five wickets for 22 runs which left the visitors in serious trouble at 139 for seven

But their positive approach saw them add 99 in 20 overs before paceman David Masters picked up the final three wickets to return figures of 5-65.

Berg was bowled for 56 - his maiden first-class half-century, while Kartik finished unbeaten on 62.

His innings included three sixes - all at the expense of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria - and he also struck a couple of fours.

Middlesex had enjoyed the better of the morning session, which saw them reach 102 for two.

Chris Wright, playing against his former county, was the successful bowler as he got rid of Andrew Strauss and Nick Compton.

But Essex were to regain the upper hand in the first hour of the afternoon session as they claimed five wickets in the space of 10 overs, starting with that of Neil Dexter who was caught behind off Masters for 29.

He was quickly followed back to the pavilion by Dawid Malan, David Nash, debutant Sam Robson, who struck a well-compiled 43, and Shaun Udal.

Wright collected two of those wickets as he went on to finish with 4-71.

Adam Wheater, deputising for James Foster who is away on England duty, proved a highly competent performer behind the stumps and was rewarded with three catches.

When Essex replied they reached 34 before slumping into trouble.

The hostility of Steve Finn accounted for Jason Gallian and Varun Chopra with successive deliveries, both caught in the slips, before Andrew Strauss pulled off a brilliant one-handed catch low down at first slip to get rid of Alastair Cook, providing left-arm spinner Kartik with success in his opening over.

Cook had contributed 31 of the 48 runs on the board and without addition Finn struck again, this time with the help of wicketkeeper Nash, to remove Matt Walker.

Finn claimed his three wickets at the cost of 21 runs in 10 overs as Middlesex ended the day well in control.