County Championship: Alastair Cook helps put Essex in control over Northants
- From the section Counties
| Specsavers County Championship Division Two, Essex County Ground |
| Essex v Northamptonshire, day one |
| Essex 335-3: Cook 65; Sanderson 2-79 |
| Northamptonshire: Yet to bat |
| Essex 3 pts, Northamptonshire 1 pt |
| Match scorecard |
England captain Alastair Cook continued his fine start to the season with a half-century as Essex took control of the first day against Northamptonshire.
Cook (65) started strongly alongside opener Nick Browne (60) as the hosts passed a century for the first wicket.
Tom Westley hit a fluent 64 before he was bowled by Ben Sanderson (2-79), who earlier had dismissed Browne.
Ravi Bopara (57 not out) and Dan Lawrence (44 not out) saw Essex to 335-3 at stumps.
Northants also conceded 45 extras, including 28 no-balls.