Shiv Sunder Das completed 250 as India extended their total to an imposing 516 before being bowled out at Chelmsford. In reply Essex reached 173 for three by stumps on the second day.

Das's marathon effort included four sixes and 32 fours, and came off 380 balls. This morning he extended his partnership with Sourav Ganguly to 105 before Ganguly was stumped by Barry Hyam off James Middlebrook for 74 (two sixes, 10 fours).

Das added another 78 with Ajit Agarkar before he was stumped for 20 off Timothy Phillips, who immediately added the scalp of Harbhajan Singh for a duck. Das was finally dismissed by the last ball of the innings, caught by Mark Ilott to become Phillips' third wicket of the day.

Tinu Yohannan took the first Essex wicket after Darren Robinson and Richard Clinton had put on 55, bowling Clinton for 23. Robinson was then caught by Wasim Jaffer off Harbhajan for 59, and the same combination accounted for Ravinder Bopara for 29. Andy Flower ended the day unbeaten on 45.

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