Jesse Ryder on fire as Essex storm back against Glamorgan at Chelmsford

Jesse Ryder took three wickets in 27 deliveries late in the final session, as Essex fought back from a difficult start on the opening day of their County Championship game against Glamorgan at Chelmsford.

After being bowled out for 279 in under 80 overs, the hosts recovered well with medium pacer Ryder reducing the Welsh county to 40-3 by stumps in this Division Two encounter.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Essex lost wickets at regular intervals with Aussie Michael Hogan being the pick of the Glamorgan bowlers taking 4-36 from 19.3 overs.

But Ryder redressed the balance in his team’s favour with a three-wicket burst after tea.

Earlier in the day, Essex had failed to make the most of their time at the crease as six batsmen passed 20 but only Jaik Mickleburgh managed to post a half-century.

Ravi Bopara made 30 but his innings was ended by a Graham Wagg yorker, with Mickleburgh falling to same bowler on 50, caught behind by Mark Wallace.

Ryan ten Doeschate was just two runs short of his half-century when he was trapped leg before by Hogan with a ball that swung into him.

It was tail-enders Graham Napier and David Masters who provided the most entertaining batting of the day.

Napier smashed two sixes among his seven boundaries before holing out to Hogan on the long-off boundary.

His 43 came from just 27 deliveries before being Colin Ingram’s only victim of the day.

Masters struck four fours and a six while making 28 from 20 balls before Hogan took an excellent one-handed catch off his own bowling.

Promotion hopefuls Glamorgan lost three wickets during the final hour of play – all to Ryder.

First, he had Will Bragg caught behind in his first over before 18-year-old Aneurin Donald and night-watchman Andrew Salter were both trapped lbw.

For unbeaten Glamorgan, much will now depend on opener Jacques Rudolph who remains 17 not out going into day two.