Bouncebackability

Well, it could have been worse. After a disastrous morning session, Essex bounced back this afternoon thanks to a resilient innings from Ryan ten Doeschate and some useful support from Chris Wright.
I managed my first foray to the County Ground this afternoon after tea and caught up on the day's events with some of the crowd. Jimmy Anderson was on fire for Lancs, swinging the ball on a green wicket, but none of the other bowlers were that menacing according to my new pals at the River End.
I saw Tendy reach his half century and apparently he'd endured a couple of body blows in the day from short deliveries, but soldiered on. Essex were all out not long after for 176.
A poor total but after being 78 for six at lunch it had a whiff of near respectability about it. And for England fans it was reassuring to see Anderson back from injury and in fine fettle, finishing with figures of six for 44.
Lancashire got off to a flyer in reply with Chris Wright's wayward bowling being punished by Stephen Moore in particular who got a half century in double quick time. But three Lancashire wickets before the end of play, including that of Moore, left the visitors on 83 for three.
Undoubtedly, Lancashire had the best of the day but the match is still nicely poised. One thing Essex do seem to have is bouncebackability, as Ian Dowie would say.

One of the chaps I was talking to on the boundary was Alan Saywood, vice chairman and secretary of the Essex Cricket Society and a popular figure at the County Ground.
I spent an hour and a half chatting with him as the shadows across the pitch lengthened and it was great to hear his stories of the players and former players who give talks to the society.
Check out their website at http://ecs.councilcricketsocieties.com/

Also check out http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/ for live text updates on Ess.ex matches this season. It features some sharp banter from David Arnold. He's very much looking forward to your feedback...