Thursday 2 July 2015 20:59, UK
Essex opener Tom Westley hit a century as Australia's bowlers struggled to make an impact on the rain-hit second day of their tour match at Chelmsford.
The visitors had been put into bat on a favourable wicket and, after resuming on Thursday morning at 440-6, Mitchell Marsh's 169 combined with quickfire knocks from Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle helped them post an impressive 562.
Australia pacemen Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood failed to make any early inroads though, and Essex showed their stubborn side, led by Westley's 144 and 86 not out from captain Ravi Bopara as the home side reached 299-3 at stumps.
Earlier, all-rounder Marsh, who has been running drinks for Australia since being dropped for Shane Watson during the World Cup, continued his impressive batting run on the tour.
The 23-year-old, who scored a century against Kent in Canterbury last week, resumed at 136 in overcast conditions at the County Ground.
Essex forced an early breakthrough when Starc (7) edged Jamie Porter to the slips where Nick Browne took the catch, suffering a dislocated finger in the process.
The tourists soon claimed another wicket as Hazlewood edged Porter to Ryan ten Doeschate in the slips for a duck.
Around 30 minutes were lost as rain briefly fell and after play resumed, Marsh was bowled by Matthew Salisbury with a length ball that cleaned out middle stump after he had smashed 20 fours and five sixes.
Lyon added 41 off 30 balls, plundering seven boundaries and a maximum before he holed out to substitute Aaron Beard off ten Doeschate.
Siddle, a late replacement in the starting line-up for Ryan Harris, who is now a doubt for the first Ashes Test because of sore knees, was unbeaten on 37 after putting on 73 for the final wicket with Lyon.
With Browne unable to bat, Westley advanced up the order to open and he helped Essex record a strong start as they reached 50 in only the 11th over.
Siddle was eventually rewarded for his patience when he bowled Jaik Mickleburgh for 29 to leave Essex 78-1 at the drinks' break.
Captain Bopara, part of England's 2009 Ashes squad, helped Essex push on to 170 without further loss by tea.
Westley brought up his century early in the evening session before the clouds gathered again, with play suspended at 5:30pm.
Following another 30-minute delay, play was extended until 7pm and Bopara began to break loose as he smashed the beleaguered Australian attack around the ground as the 200 partnership came up.
Westley was eventually bowled by Starc for 144 after he went around the wicket, with his knock including 24 fours and one six.
In what was to be the final delivery of the day, Starc bowled nightwatchman Porter for a third-ball duck.
The first Investec Ashes Test is live from Cardiff on our dedicated Sky Sports Ashes channel, with coverage beginning at 10am on Wednesday July 8.
