Confirmation that England Test seamer Sam Cook has been parachuted into this game came during the early stages of Essex's innings, with him replacing Mitch Killeen. Kuldeep, who didn't bowl a ball in Yorkshire's seam-dominated defeat to Surrey at The Kia Oval last week - neither did Bess for that matter - then struck with his fourth ball when Paul Walter was trapped lbw, leaving Essex at 15 for 1. New man Charlie Allison briefly attacked Kuldeep after tea, including lofting him down the ground for six.
Dean Elgar and Luc Benkenstein settled things briefly for their side, but they needed more than a 34-run alliance, with both men falling lbw to Bess. On-loan Lancashire wicketkeeper-batter George Bell played nicely for 42 not out, but Essex have a mountain to climb.
