Essex held to dramatic tie

Essex 234 for 8 (Bopara 65) tied with Gloucestershire 234 for 7 (Weston 65, Taylor 56)
Scorecard

Essex and Gloucestershire fought out a thrilling tie in their National League day-night clash at Chelmsford on Monday.

Set 235 to win, Essex seemed on course for victory when they began the last over needing five runs with four wickets in hand. James Middlebrook and Paul Grayson collected three singles from the first four balls from the offspinner Martyn Ball, but with two required from two deliveries, Ball held a stunning return catch to dismiss Middlebrook.

Ashley Cowan heaved the last ball to long-on, but Grayson was comfortably run out at the bowler's end as he attempted the second run which would have secured Essex the win.

Gloucestershire had earlier posted 234 for 7 in their 45 overs, with half-centuries from Chris Taylor and Phil Weston providing the backbone to the innings. Weston hit 65 off 102 balls, while Taylor upped the tempo in the middle of the innings with a 66-ball 56. Alex Gidman chipped in with a brisk 34 as Essex took 78 off the last ten overs.

Essex always looked to be easing towards victory, but the dismissals of Ronnie Irani for 30 and then Ravinder Bopara for 55 - to a superb catch by Gidman at deep backward square - checked their momentum, setting up the dramatic finale.