Image:Graeme Swann was able to take the field on the third morning after x-rays revealed no fracture. Swann was hit on the right arm while batting on day two
Image:Essex's last man Tymal Mills - the bowler who had struck Swann - enjoyed himself with a couple of sixes at the start of the day
Image:Swann bowled Mills to end Essex's first innings at 278, giving England a lead of 135
Image:England captain Alastair Cook made a bright start to his side's second innings
Image:Cook's opening partner Joe Root also unfurled some pleasing strokes
Image:Root went lbw to leg-spinner Tom Craddock for 26, ending an opening stand of 76
Image:But Essex's bowling attack was becoming depleted. Mills (pictured), David Masters and Tom Westley all had to leave the field injured
Image:Owais Shah gave his off-breaks a rare outing
Image:That didn't bother Jonathan Trott and he maintained a serious approach
Image:Boyd Rankin (pictured, left) and Reece Topley came on to bolster the Essex cause, meaning the match lost its first-class status
Image:Trott and Cook both brought up half-centuries during a 119-run, second-wicket stand
Image:Cook (82) and Trott (79) retired at tea but rain soon arrived and England closed on 217-3, a lead of 352 heading into the final day