MARCUS North finished just two runs away from a century, but Essex were the happier by the close of play in Gloucestershire’s Liverpool Victoria County Championship division two match yesterday.

The Australian all-rounder helped the county to 275 all out in their first innings, but Essex finished day one on 66-0.

Despite their heroics against Middlesex, Thornbury’s Anthony Ireland, and Ian Saxelby were left out of the side.

Skipper Jon Lewis chose to bat first after winning the toss, but Gloucestershire lost to top three of Kadeer Ali (12), Will Porterfield (5) and Hamish Marshall (12) were out quickly, reducing them to 52-3.

North then steadied the ship, building fifty plus partnerships with Alex Gidman (31) and Chris Taylor (16).

North was out though on 98 when he was caught at short fine leg by David Masters playing a sweep shot off the bowling of Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneira.

Steve Snell (21) quickly followed and it was left to Mark Hardinges, who scored 40 not out, to shepherd the tail, before he ran out of partners.

Varun Chopra then went on to 43 not out, with ex-England international Jason Gallian on 23 not out as Essex assumed control yesterday evening.