LONDON, CMC – Former Barbados youth cricketer Che Simmons produced a three-wicket burst on first-class debut to put Warwickshire in control against Essex.
The 20-year-old speedster, signed by the county three years ago, finished with three for 12 from seven overs of sustained pace and control as Warwickshire bundled out Essex for 162 to earn a significant first-innings lead of 235 at Chelmsford.
Warwickshire ended Saturday’s day two on 43 for five in their second innings – an overall lead of 278.
Resuming the morning on 308 for six, the visitors were finally dismissed for 397, with Ed Barnard extending his unbeaten 115 overnight to 165 before being the last man out after facing 285 balls in a shade under 6-¾ hours and counting 14 fours and three sixes.
He lost overnight partner Michael Burgess for 108 early in the morning after he added only three, but Simmons (17) arrived to help post a valuable 38 for the eighth wicket.
Fast bowler Shane Snater (3-58) and former South Africa Test off-spinner Simon Harmer (3-93) finished with three wickets.
Simmons then unleashed his fireworks to send Essex crashing to 77 for six, accounting for captain Tom Westley (5), Nick Browne (19), and Matt Critchley (0) in a fiery opening spell.
With Essex attempting a recovery at 52 for two after losing openers Feroze Khushi (10) and Dean Elgar (15) cheaply, Simmons broke through when he got Westley to hole out to deep square on the pull.
Four overs later, he found the edge of Browne’s bat for wicketkeeper Burgess to complete the catch and off the very next delivery. He also got new batsman Critchley to edge behind without scoring.
Jordan Cox, who struck a breezy 47 from 60 balls with seven fours and a six, revived the innings in a 44-run seventh wicket stand with Harmer (13) before the innings collapsed again.
Warwickshire, who have another Barbadian Jacob Bethell in their ranks, slumped in their second innings when they slid to 12 for three, new ball seamer Jamie Porter (2-17) rocking the top order in an incisive opening spell.
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