Bopara holds up Northants

Ravi Bopara celebrated his inclusion in England’s 15-man squad for the Stanford Super Series with an unbeaten 65 as Essex’s top order dominated against Northamptonshire on day three of their LV County Championship Division Two clash.

Jason Gallian (72) and John Maunders (62) put on 113 for the first wicket, only the second time Essex openers have made a century partnership this season, as the visitors closed 48 runs behind their opponents’ total of 304.

Bopara, who had claimed three wickets, then registered his sixth championship half-century of the season, off 104 balls, while skipper Mark Pettini finished 50 not out.

With both teams going for promotion, a draw suits neither side, but a result is dependent on Pettini and opposing captain Nicky Boje reaching an arrangement for the final’s day play.

The match did not start until 1.30pm, with a further 29 overs being lost to the rain in a match decimated by the weather.

Jason Gallian was part of a century opening stand for the second time this season

Essex made just 18 off 14 overs yesterday, but debutant Maunders upped the pace with a succession of early boundaries, including a cover-driven six off Monty Panesar.

The former Leicestershire batsman eventually reached his half-century off 128 balls as he drove Boje to the backward point boundary.

The 27-year-old looked well set to build on that milestone with a straight drive off Panesar in the 44th over, but he was taken by Riki Wessels at bat-pad off the next ball.

It did not take long for Gallian, who has been out of form with the bat recently, to reach his fifty, striking David Lucas for four, his seventh of the innings. He had faced 117 balls.

The visitors reached tea at 133 for one and, after Bopara and Gallian racked up a half-century partnership, Northants struck again in the 62nd over.

Boje this time claimed the wicket as Gallian hit him straight down Rob White’s throat at mid-on.

Pettini went on the offensive as the day drew to a close, hitting Boje for six over long-off before dishing out the same treatment to Panesar.

Both Northants spinners struggled with the conditions, with Panesar ending the day with figures of 1-88, while former South Africa all-rounder Boje (1-81) fared no better.

In the final over, Pettini joined the 50 club as he hit Boje for another six before pinching a single.