Sussex duo lead recovery from 14 for 2 on hard-fought first day

ECB Reporters Network22-Aug-2024

Yorkshire enjoyed the better of a hard-fought opening day of their Vitality County Championship promotion battle with Division Two leaders Sussex at Scarborough, though potentially not by much.Sussex came into this 10th-round Division Two affair top of the table with six wins and Yorkshire third with two. The gap between the two sides was 27 points, and both have high hopes of playing top-flight cricket next season.Sussex, invited to bat in challenging conditions, battled hard to reach close at 187 for nine from 72 overs, including half-centuries for left-handers Daniel Hughes and Tom Alsop, who top-scored with 84 not out off 184 balls.They had to recover from 14 for 2 during the early stages of the afternoon after rain had limited the morning session to only four overs. Matthew Revis’s seam accounted for three wickets.Although the day was shortened by 24 overs due to rain at the start and bad light at the end, the play was intriguing, and it would be absolutely no surprise if Sussex’s total turns out to be a competitive one.They batted under grey skies and on a pitch showing signs of uneven bounce.Hughes, who made 53, and Alsop, the latter dropped in the slips on nine during the afternoon, both drove nicely.Australian overseas opener Hughes has enjoyed an excellent start to life with the South Coast county during the second half of the summer, mainly in the Vitality Blast. And he has just signed on to return for the majority of 2025.He drove the first ball of the match, from Ben Coad, through the covers after Jonny Tattersall had elected to bowl.Another memorable one came almost arrow straight off George Hill midway through the afternoon to move him into the forties. But, largely, he was forced to battle hard.Unfortunately, having done the hard work and got set – he reached his fifty off 85 balls – he drove Coad to cover two balls later, falling to leave Sussex at 75 for 3 in the 30th over.Either side of the morning rain, from 11.20pm to 1.10pm, including lunch, Coad had trapped Tom Haines lbw with a full ball with the last delivery of the contest’s opening over before Tom Clark was caught at point having aimed a lazy drive at Thompson.Hughes and Alsop then shared 61 for the third wicket to ease Sussex nerves.Like Hughes, Alsop has this week committed his future to the South Coast county, signing a long-term contract.He was also strong on the drive but was far more obdurate than Hughes, seemingly determined to make the most of his life on nine when Fin Bean shelled a head-high chance at third slip off the bowling of Matthew Revis.After the Hughes dismissal, Thompson trapped James Coles lbw – 85 for 4 in the 36th over.Alsop and captain John Simpson shared 40 into the evening, but the latter pulled George Hill’s seam to midwicket. When Fynn Hudson-Prentice edged Revis to first slip shortly afterwards, Sussex were 134 for six in the 55th.Shortly afterwards, Alsop reached his half-century off 142 balls.Jack Carson and Indian seamer Jaydev Unadkat then offered catches to third and fourth slip as they drove at Revis. Sandwiched in between, Ollie Robinson edged Dan Moriarty’s left-arm spin to slip as the score slipped to 172 for 9 in the 69th over.Jonny Bairstow took the wicketkeeping gloves for Yorkshire in his first county appearance of the season and was neat and tidy, while Sussex’s new ball seamer Robinson was only called upon late on with the bat and made two.Both men are hoping to rekindle their England Test careers.Shortly before bad light was called at 6.15pm, the excellent Alsop hit two boundaries – one reverse swept and the other swept – off Moriarty as he ran out of partners.

What was looking like a rather dull summer for Arsenal fans just a week or so ago has since burst into life.

Kepa Arrizabalaga might be the only signing to have been officially announced as things stand, but that doesn’t look likely to remain the case.

The paperwork for Brentford star Christian Norgaard has reportedly been signed, and Martin Zubimendi is expected to be unveiled before the end of the week.

On top of that, Mikel Arteta looks to finally be getting some attacking stars in, with Eberechi Eze looking like a likely addition, and now reports linking the club to someone who’d be the perfect teammate for him.

Arsenal target dream Eze teammate

While the start of the window was dominated by stories linking Arsenal to one of Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres, Eze has now taken centre stage.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Stories touting him for a move to the Emirates started to gain traction midway through last week, but then really gained momentum in recent days, with some claiming that Arteta had been involved in positive talks with him over the weekend.

Then, in yet more good news, some of the most recent reports have stated that the Englishman is now “desperate” to join the Gunners.

That desire to move to N5 might only increase now that the North Londoners have also been linked with someone who’d be the perfect teammate for him: Ollie Watkins.

That is according to insider Team news and ticks, who, on the latest episode of The Inside Foreward podcast, revealed that Arsenal have once again made contact with the Aston Villa player.

They claim that even though the Englishman is not currently the club’s priority striker signing, he is high up on the list, and that, as a boyhood fan, he would personally “love to play” for them.

In terms of the money involved, other stories from this summer indicate that a fee of around £40m could be enough to tempt the Claret and Blue into selling.

At that price, this potential transfer feels like a no-brainer, especially as he’d be an incredible teammate for Eze.

Why Watkins would be perfect for Eze

Unsurprisingly, the first and without a doubt the most significant reason Eze would love playing alongside Watkins at Arsenal, or anywhere for that matter, is his output.

For example, since the start of the 23/24 season, the often unplayable “nightmare,” as dubbed by Conor Coady, has scored a staggering 44 goals and provided 29 assists in 107 appearances in all competitions, totalling 7901 minutes.

In other words, the former Exeter City gem has averaged a goal involvement every 1.46 games, or one every 108.23 minutes, which really has to be considered world-class.

Now, just imagine how much better Eze’s already impressive numbers of 25 goal involvements in 43 games last season would be next year if he were playing just behind a striker as effective as the Villa ace.

Moreover, another reason the Palace star could love playing alongside the 29-year-old is that they are both now England internationals.

Therefore, they could have the chance to further develop their partnership at both the domestic and international levels, which in turn could help them secure more game time under Thomas Tuchel.

Ultimately, the best players in world football want to play alongside the best, and based on his performances for Villa in recent years, we expect Eze would be thrilled to start alongside Watkins at Arsenal.

Therefore, Andrea Berta and Co should be doing all they can to sign both of them this summer.

Saka will love him: £68m "superstar" is now "desperate" to sign for Arsenal

Arsenal could sign Bukayo Saka’s dream teammate this summer.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 3, 2025

Arsenal are now preparing a £69m offer for a “world-class” forward, who could be in line to join alongside Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, according to a report.

Berta keen to strengthen Arsenal attack

Andrea Berta’s first summer transfer window as sporting director has been very impressive, with the Italian securing deals for the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke and Christian Norgaard, but the Gunners are still lacking a top striker.

Despite links to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko earlier in the window, it is now apparent that Gyokeres is Mikel Arteta’s top target, and a breakthrough is expected soon, with the manager keen to get a deal done before Wednesday’s friendly against AC Milan.

This comes over a week after Arsenal reached an agreement in principle to sign the Sweden international, although recent claims suggest Man Utd could look to hijack the Gunners’ move for Gyokeres.

Having already strengthened in wide areas, Gyokeres could be the final piece of the jigsaw for Arteta, with the manager aiming to finally win the Premier League title next season.

He's like Saka & Saliba: Arsenal set to complete move to sign "elite" star

Arsenal are closing in on their latest new signing this weekend.

ByMatt Dawson Jul 20, 2025

However, despite the addition of Madueke, the north Londoners remain keen on adding another winger to their ranks, and an opening bid is now in the works.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Arsenal are now preparing a €80m (£69m) offer for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, with Arteta viewing the forward as the ideal option to strengthen the left-wing area.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners are able to tempt Madrid into a sale, given that the Spanish side value the Brazilian at €100m (£87m), and they are in a strong negotiating position, as there are still three years remaining on his contract.

There could also be rival interest from Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s side also expressing an interest in the 24-year-old, although they are yet to make any formal moves of their own.

The player himself is said to be open to testing himself outside Spain, indicating a move to the Emirates Stadium could appeal to the Real Madrid ace.

"World-class" Rodrygo could be Martinelli upgrade

Lauded as “world-class” by former teammate Luka Modric, the Madrid forward featured regularly throughout the 2024-25 campaign, during which time he showcased his ability to score goals and set up his teammates on a regular basis.

As such, the Brazil international could be an upgrade on international teammate Gabriel Martinelli, who has arguably failed to kick on since a very impressive 2022-23 season, picking up just eight Premier League assists across the past two seasons.

The former Santos man also scored a remarkable solo goal against Atletico Madrid in the 2022-23 campaign, once again showcasing his dribbling ability.

At the very least, Rodrygo would provide strong competition for Martinelli’s starting spot, and strength in depth is exactly what Arsenal need if they are to compete for major honours next season.

Needing 393 to beat Lancashire and keep their hopes of winning their first Vitality County Championship title alive, Somerset ended the third day’s play at Emirates Old Trafford on 204 for 6, still 189 runs short of their target.Should they succeed in their now deeply improbable task, Somerset will take their battle with Surrey into the final week of the season. However, defeat would relegate Lancashire, who will also be playing Division Two cricket next season regardless of their own results if Nottinghamshire take ten points from their final match at home to Warwickshire, who would also need five points from that game.From yesterday’s play, Luke Wells made 130 in Lancashire’s second-innings total of 398 but Archie Vaughan responded with 68 to give his side some hope of mounting what would be the highest fourth-innings run-chase against Lancashire.Those hopes were greatly diminished when George Balderson removed both Vaughan and Tom Kohler-Cadmore after tea but Kacey Aldridge and James Rew looked set to ensure Somerset suffered no further losses. Alas, Aldridge was caught by Matty Hurst off Luke Wells for 19 when there were only four balls left in the day’s play.In a slightly extended morning session, Lancashire added exactly 100 runs for the loss of their last three wickets. Wells and George Balderson went about their business carefully in the first hour, adding just 36 runs to their side’s overnight score of 298 for 7.However, a thick-edged three to third man off Aldridge took Wells to his second hundred of the season. He had faced 196 balls, hit 12 fours and a six and had batted with a fluency that made one wonder why he had struggled for so much of the season.Wells and Balderson had taken their partnership to 135, thereby setting a new eighth-wicket partnership for Lancashire against Somerset, before Wells was leg before wicket for 130 when attempting to reverse-sweep Jack Leach.Tom Bailey was also leg before to Leach for a single and the innings ended when Balderson was bowled by Brett Randell for 47. Leach finished with 3 for 57 and Randell took 3 for 71.Somerset’s pursuit of 393 began atrociously when Andy Umeed charged down the wicket to Bailey’s second ball, tried to drive it through the covers and had his off stump knocked out of the ground.But that misjudgement was followed by a fine 105-run partnership for the second wicket between Vaughan and Tom Lammonby, a stand that was only ended when Lammonby played over the top of a full-length ball from Wells and was bowled for 49.By then, though, Vaughan had reached his maiden first-class fifty off 84 balls but the afternoon session still ended badly for Somerset when Tom Abell was leg before wicket to Anderson Phillip for five.Nine overs into the evening session, Vaughan was caught at slip by George Bell for 68 to leave his side on 146 for 4 and the same combination accounted for Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who made 23 before edging a lifter to slip.However, in the first gloomy conditions of the game, Aldridge and Rew successfully defied Lancashire’s attack until Wells struck that final crucial blow. Balderson has so far taken 2 for 33 from 14 overs.

Crystal Palace could make an approach for a defender imminently, as they are very interested in securing his signature, according to reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.

Palace looking to bolster defensive options

There is still a great deal of doubt over Marc Guehi’s future at Selhurst Park, with Newcastle United and Liverpool set to battle it out for the centre-back, who has made it clear he is unwilling to sign a new deal, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Romano said: “Also, I can tell you that Marc Guehi is not going to sign a new contract at Crystal Palace. It’s a big opportunity for Palace to sell the player this summer and not to lose him on a free in 2026; and for Liverpool there’s a chance to attack the situation and get the player for a good transfer fee.”

As such, Oliver Glasner is looking to bring in a replacement for his captain, and there is a great deal of interest in Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande, with a £47m deal for the 21-year-old believed to be in the works.

Not only is a new centre-back of interest, but the Eagles are also looking to bolster their options at left-back, with Borna Sosa now believed to be on the verge of arriving from Ajax, having been given permission to move to Selhurst Park.

According to Di Marzio (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace are very interested in signing Davide Calabria too, with the right-back now a free agent after his AC Milan contract expired at the end of June.

Palace could make a move for Calabria very soon, with the defender available on a free transfer, as there could be heavy competition for his signature – Celta Vigo, Real Betis and Mallorca are also named as potential suitors.

Crystal Palace now line up £27m swoop for "terrific" defender and "monster"

The Eagles are looking at making a double signing, having scouted two players at the U21 European Championships.

ByDominic Lund Jul 2, 2025 Calabria could be solid signing for Crystal Palace

While the report states the right-back received criticism during the latter stages of his Milan career, he is said to have played a key role in Bologna’s surprise Coppa Italia triumph, which secured the Serie A side qualification for the Europa League.

Not only that, but the Italian has put in some impressive displays for Milan in the past, perhaps most notably receiving praise from Zach Lowy for the job he did nullifying Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the Georgian forward’s time with Napoli.

Having also chalked up a combined 36 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League, Calabria’s experience could be of great use to a Palace side hoping to embark on a European adventure next season.

Ben Duckett struck his second ODI hundred but England collapsed in Bristol and couldn’t contain the visitors’ top order

Andrew McGlashan29-Sep-2024

A power-packed powerplay by Travis Head and Matthew Short, followed by astute batting by stand-in captain Steven Smith, ensured Australia beat the rain and England in the nick of time to take the one-day series in Bristol on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern. For the second time in the five matches, their spinners engineering a collapse, including a career-best for Head, after Ben Duckett’s second ODI hundred alongside a Harry Brook onslaught had put the home side on track for a huge total.Australia’s chase was never going to be about 310 in 50 overs – the 20-over DLS, which moved with wickets lost, was the vital figure. The visitors clearly knew the sums and after a watchful first three overs, Head and Short cut loose as 62 came off the next four. Being 100 for 1 after 10 overs put them so far ahead they had breathing space for the loss of a couple of wickets.Brydon Carse struck first ball to remove Head and Short edged behind after a 23-ball maiden ODI fifty. But Smith, who successfully reviewed being given lbw to Matthew Potts on 10, and Josh Inglis ensured against further setbacks although England missed reviewing for an edge off Inglis at 122 for 2 in the 15th. However, England needed more than one further breakthrough given Australia’s flying start and the tactics became clear when Brook returned to all pace instead of Adil Rashid on a pitch assisting spin (and Potts suddenly realised he needed a new boot).The rain, which had initially arrived during the interval, then returned four balls after a result had been assured with a DLS of 116 for 2. Australia didn’t entirely defend their way there as the weather closed in a little more slowly than first looked likely: Inglis pulled consecutive sixes off Carse in the 20th over. In normal circumstances, Rashid and England’s other spinners might have turned the game around but Australia were good value for victory given the way they fought back in the field.Ben Duckett capped a strong series with a fine century•AFP

Like at Trent Bridge, it was a game that fell away for England from a very strong batting foundation. A ferocious stand of 132 off 98 balls between Duckett and Brook brought up their 200 in the 25th over but from the moment Brook fell to Zampa the innings fell away with the final collapse being 107 for 8. Smith used 23 consecutive overs of spin and 28 off the last 29 in total.After 2.2 overs Zampa’s figures read 0 for 42 but he became a significant threat on a dry surface that offered increasing help to the spinners. Head winkled out a List A best of 4 for 28, including the key scalp of Duckett for a 91-ball 107, the highlight of which had been how quickly he picked up length against the quicks early on, a trademark of his batting during a productive home summer. Yet such was the change of momentum that England only hit one boundary between the 27th and 43rd overs. The 194 balls of spin was a record for Australia in a men’s ODI.At the end of a tour marked by illness and injury they had again been forced to shuffle their pack after Marsh pulled up sore after Lord’s where he bowled for the first time since early April. Aaron Hardie also replaced Sean Abbott and Cooper Connolly was handed an ODI debut. Speaking on TV before the game, Ricky Ponting said Australia would rate a series win very highly given the challenges within the squad.Phil Salt set the tone in the opening over which included three boundaries off Mitchell Starc and two plays and misses. It meant, at that moment, Starc’s last two overs of the series had cost 40 following his pasting at the hands of Liam Livingstone at Lord’s. Salt continued to alternate between missing and connecting, outside edging a swish over deep third for six against Starc before a brace of far more convincing sixes against Hardie’s first two deliveries which brought up England’s fifty in the seventh over.But Hardie struck back. Firstly, he had Salt well taken at deep point by Marnus Labuschagne, the ball after adjusting the field, then produced a gem of a delivery to clean up Will Jacks for a duck. There were a few overs of consolidation from England before Brook scooped his first boundary off Josh Hazlewood from his ninth delivery then he continued the team’s approach of being aggressive to Zampa by ending his first over with a four and six; a delightful late cut which drew comparisons to Mahela Jayawardene by Eoin Morgan on commentary then a blow to the short, straight boundary.Adam Zampa started poorly but went on to induce a collapse•Getty Images

Much more was to come from Brook when he took three further sixes from Zampa’s second over leaving Smith searching for options. Duckett went to his fifty from 45 balls and Brook raced to the mark from 39 with another six over the leg side against Hardie. Brook took his sixes tally to seven with another back-to-back brace off Zampa when he returned for the start of his second spell and had the attack at his mercy.But then came a break for Australia when Brook miscued Zampa down the ground and found Glenn Maxwell at long-off. Maxwell continued to do an excellent job with the ball, finding significant grip from the surface, and pushed one through Jamie Smith. Zampa then found Livingstone’s top edge with one that turned and bounced and all of a sudden, the lower middle-order was exposed.The onus was on Duckett to try and guide the remainder of the innings as he brought up an outstanding century. Both he and Jacob Bethell held themselves back for a period, but after sending Head’s third ball over long-on Duckett tried a repeat and skewed a catch to long-off which meant Carse was walking in during the 34th over.Head then turned deliveries sharply to have Bethell stumped and Carse lbw, leaving Rashid to nurse the total towards 300, but eyes were already turning to the sky and Australia flicked successfully into T20 mode to earn the spoils.

واصل فريق الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، تدريباته اليوم على ملعب التتش، استعدادًا لمباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا، والتي تجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات الدوري المصري.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الأهلي أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا، مساء يوم الجمعة المقبل على استاد القاهرة، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة لبطولة الدوري الممتاز.

بدأ المران بأداء عمليات الإحماء وجزء بدني خفيف، قبل أن يدخل لاعبو الأهلي في تدريبات الكرة التي حرص خلالها الجهاز الفني على تطبيق الجوانب الفنية والخططية.

فيما خاض محمد الشناوي ومصطفى شوبير ومحمد سيحا وحازم جمال تدريباتهم تحت إشراف أمير عبد الحميد مدرب الحراس.

خاص | وكيل إمام عاشور يُهدد مسؤولي الأهلي بعد تجميد ملف التجديد

وواصل أشرف داري تنفيذ البرنامج التأهيلي داخل ملعب التتش، تحت إشراف الجهاز الطبي للفريق لتجهيزه للعودة إلى المشاركة الجماعية.

وكان الأهلي قد تعادل أمام إنبي بهدف لكل فريق بالمباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء الأحد الماضي ضمن لقاءات الجولة السادسة من الدوري المصري.

Newcastle United have sent scouts to watch an “electric” versatile attacker in action, according to an encouraging new transfer update.

Newcastle stand strong in Isak battle

The Magpies may be focusing on new signings currently, but keeping hold of Alexander Isak is more important than any incoming business during the summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old was left out of Newcastle’s squad for their 4-0 defeat to Celtic in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, and while it led to some concern among the fanbase about him leaving, Eddie Howe allayed any fears about his omission.

Even if Isak stays, though, Newcastle could do with adding more depth and quality to their attack, and a new update suggests that that could well be the case.

Newcastle have scouted "electric" attacker

According to NUFC Blog, Newcastle have been scouting OGC Nice attacker Evann Guessand and could now make their move having failed in other pursuits.

It is stated that a move for the 24-year-old “could be explored” if the Magpies’ search for a new attacking player moves “to the European market” in the coming weeks. He is also described as a “similar profile” to former Brighton striker Joao Pedro, who is now at Chelsea, in terms of “being able to play anywhere across the front line or as a second striker”.

Statistically speaking, it is actually Liverpool star Cody Gakpo he compares to, with FBRef profiling both players very highly in terms of both goal threat and defensive contriubtion from a winger/forward hybrid role.

Guessand is however a relative unknown compared to some of the big-name players linked with Newcastle of late, but that’s not to say he wouldn’t be an excellent addition. The Frenchman bagged 12 goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 last season, coming in 30 starts, and journalist Antonio Mango has described him as an “electric” player.

As stated, Guessand isn’t dissimilar to Pedro or Gakpo in terms of style, with the Nice star capable of shining as an attacking midfielder, centre forward or winger, drifting into those half spaces and providing end product.

Related More exciting than Wissa: Newcastle preparing move to sign £86m "monster"

Newcastle United are ready to offer £86m for the services of this monster attacker.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Jul 21, 2025

At 24, he is also still learning as a footballer, with further gears to find, and if the worst-case scenario does happen with Isak, he could be a strong long-term successor. Hopefully though, he comes in and thrives alongside the Swedish superstar.

Newcastle United will now need to stump up £39m to sign a “complete” striker in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.

Newcastle still clinging on to Isak

The future of Isak has dominated the Magpies-related headlines of late, with Liverpool making it clear that they would like to sign the Swede in a potential British record transfer, whereas Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are also circling.

Newcastle are understandably holding firm, however, not wanting to lose not only their best player, but one of the leading strikers in the world currently.

A move to the Saudi Pro League for Isak would surely be a huge shock if the 25-year-old suddenly wanted to move to a far lesser league at the peak of his powers.

Should the unthinkable happen and Newcastle lose Isak this summer, it will then be a case of the best option possible coming in. Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez jumps out as a leading choice after recent links emerged, but now another player has been mentioned, too.

Newcastle need to pay £39m to sign striker after contact

According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle will need to pay £39m to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani this summer.

The Magpies have already made contact regarding a move for the France international, which is again highlighted in the recent report. Kolo Muani is considered a potential option to replace Isak, should he move on. The report even states that Newcastle are “resigned” to losing current hero Isak.

Muani could shine in a Newcastle shirt, but it goes without saying that signing him will only be a positive if Isak has also stayed put at St James’ Park.

The 26-year-old has impressed many in recent years, not least Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, who has described him as a “complete” player.

“He is a striker who offers different game options to our team. He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play. We are happy with the game he played on Friday and I hope he scores tomorrow. Tomorrow we will try to get him to score a goal.”

Muani has scored nine goals in 31 caps for France, helping them reach the final of the 2022 World Cup, and he has also netted a combined 53 times in Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and Serie A, showing that he can make an impact in some of Europe’s top leagues.

He's Bruno Guimaraes 2.0: Newcastle considering move to sign £50m "machine"

Newcastle could consider a move for an English midfielder

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 22, 2025

The bottom line is that he is still a far cry from Isak as a player, though, so if the current Magpies ace departs this summer, a higher calibre of player such as Alvarez will need to come in over the PSG man, or as well as him.

Nottinghamshire trail by 420 runs after just 10.5 overs possible in second innings

ECB Reporters Network10-Sep-2024Michael Pepper continued a rich vein of form that has now brought him centuries in successive Vitality County Championship matches to sit alongside two T20 Blast centuries as he helped Essex tightened their stranglehold over Nottinghamshire.The wicketkeeper-batsman’s 115 from 147 balls eclipsed his previous best score against Worcestershire last week by three runs as he built on Tom Westley’s 122 to take Essex to a formidable 457 in their first innings.After putting on 69 with his captain, Pepper joined forces with Simon Harmer in a stand of 133 for the seventh wicket that threatened to pile further pressure on the relegation-haunted visitors. Pepper seasoned his innings with12 fours and a six while Harmer’s 51 was his highest score of the season.Nottinghamshire had reduced the deficit to 420 for the loss of captain Haseeb Hameed in the 10.5 overs possible before play on day two was curtailed by bad weather with the visitors on 37 for 1.At the start of the day, Rob Lord struck for his third wicket of the innings with the 19th delivery of the new-ball – but the Kookaburra was more than 30 overs old before the next wicket fell. The only success of the morning session was when the pace bowler got one to jump up at Westley who dragged on to his stumps to depart after more than five hours of patient accumulation in scoring 122 from 241 balls.Pepper continued to bat sensibly, a textbook straight-driven four a stand-out alongside an unorthodox forehand smash through mid-off. His alliance with Harmer saw off the new-ball and took Essex to a fourth batting point.Harmer had been struggling with the bat but reached his first fifty of the season – and only his second score above 19. A six over midwicket off Farhan Ahmed and a reverse-swept four off Liam Patterson-White had already indicated that confidence was returning.A quickly scampered single took Pepper to three-figures from 135 balls and earnt a warm embrace from a batting partner who would depart soon after. An attempt at another reverse sweep in Freddie McCann’s first over proved to be Harmer’s downfall as the misjudgement ended in him being bowled. His fifty included five fours and a six.Neither Shane Snater nor Sam Cook lasted long, both going down the wicket to Ahmed (3 for 102) and being bowled and stumped respectively before Pepper was bowled by Patterson-White. The last four wickets went down for 27 runs in six overs.Nottinghamshire lost Hameed in the fourth over of their reply when he slashed Cook to point. However, his opening partner Michael Slater refused to be tied down, flicking three of his four boundaries off his legs in a 36-ball 26 before rain added to the gloom to curtail the day with 36 overs remaining.