Michael Pepper maiden red-ball ton helps Essex get on top of Pears

Essex captain Tom Westley had set the ball rolling with 68 before he became the first of on-loan Surrey spinner Amar Virdi’s three wickets for 126 in a marathon 37.4-over spell.

Ethan Brookes also picked up three wickets before Worcestershire reduced the deficit by two runs without loss in five overs before stumps.

Brookes celebrated his maiden first-class wicket before he broke Robin Das’ middle-stump to end a second-wicket stand of 65 with Westley, and the 23-year-old seamer did not have long to wait for his second as Jordan Cox, released by England the day before to play for Essex, fell cheaply.

Brett D’Oliveira brought himself on for an over before lunch and with his third ball had Matt Critchley lunging forward before being rapped fatally on his front pad as Essex slipped to 146-4.

Westley, Paul Walter (33) and Simon Harmer all fell before Essex had reached parity with Worcestershire but Pepper stood firm and, with help from Snater, who weighed in with 53, helped the hosts build a healthy lead.

Report supplied by ECB Reporters’ Network