Ton up Foster puts Essex in charge

James Foster followed up his first innings 55 with 111 not out © Getty Images

James Foster's first LV County Championship century of the summer helped carry Essex into a lead of 346 over Division Two leaders Worcestershire at Colchester.

Foster followed up his 55 on the opening day with an unbeaten 111 as Essex closed on 322 for eight in their second innings to set up the prospect of an exciting duel on the final day.

Foster reached his century from 183 deliveries with the help of seven fours and one six, many of his runs coming during a fifth wicket partnership of 96 with Ryan ten Doeschate, who made 46 before becoming one of Imran Arif's three victims.

Skipper Mark Pettini also fell four short of his half-century as a leading edge finished up in the hands of gully.

Foster caught the eye with some fluent drives as he anchored the Essex innings on a day when a morning downpour delayed the start of play by half-an-hour.

The dismissal of ten Doeschate was quickly followed by the removal of James Middlebrook, Graham Napier and Chris Wright, the former providing wicketkeeper Steven Davies with his seventh catch of the match.

Worcestershire's attack was blunted by the absence of Matt Mason who suffered a shoulder injury after sending down just one over on the first day, while Kabir Ali, who took 6-83 in the home side's first innings, did not bowl in the final session because of a sore back.

Meanwhile it was confirmed that Essex leg-spinner Danish Kaneria will be returning home to Pakistan at the beginning of the week after it was revealed he will definitely miss the rest of the season.

His campaign came to a premature end when he broke his spinning finger yesterday while failing to hold onto a return catch offered by Ben Smith. It will be operated on following his return home.

Kaneria also disclosed that he hopes to return to play for Essex again next season.

“Negotiations are currently taking place and I am very hopeful I will be pulling on an Essex sweater again,” he said.