Porter and Snater Put Essex on Brink of First Win of the Season

Essex are closing in on their first win of the 2025 County Championship season after Jamie Porter’s incisive spell left Worcestershire six down and still needing 110 runs to complete a challenging chase of 295 at New Road.

Porter, who has now claimed 11 wickets in three matches this season, once again proved Essex’s go-to man with the ball, removing key batters Gareth Roderick, Rob Jones, and Brett D’Oliveira as Worcestershire stumbled to 185 for 6 at stumps on day three.

Set a testing target across five sessions, Worcestershire began their pursuit poorly, losing Roderick in the opening over before lunch. Porter trapped him in front with just his second delivery. Things worsened quickly after the break as Worcestershire slipped to 32 for 3 under darkening skies, with Rob Jones edging to second slip and Jake Libby falling to Shane Snater after an uppish flick to midwicket.

Kashif Ali’s Resistance in Vain

Kashif Ali briefly steadied the ship with a classy half-century, playing some elegant strokes through extra cover. He added 46 with Adam Hose before Hose was trapped lbw by Noah Thain for 21. Kashif’s composed 50 should have ended on 36 when his off-stump was uprooted—only for the delivery to be ruled a no-ball.

Spin made its first telling contribution of the match when Simon Harmer, in just his second over, ended Kashif's stay by drawing a sharp edge to slip. Having done the job, Harmer returned to the cordon, leaving Essex’s seamers to continue the job.

Porter Breaks Through Again

D’Oliveira and Matthew Waite attempted to resurrect the chase with a stand of 44, punishing loose deliveries with boundaries. But D’Oliveira’s attempt to guide Porter past point resulted in a miscued uppercut to first slip, halting their progress just as the partnership was beginning to threaten.

Snater Sparks Essex Surge

Earlier in the day, Essex had stretched their second innings to 317 thanks to some lower-order resilience. Thain brought up his maiden first-class fifty with a flick off the pads before being dismissed for 54. Shane Snater added a valuable 48 off 53 balls, including a six and five boundaries, to extend Essex's lead and set Worcestershire a steep chase.

Simon Harmer and Snater added 41 crucial runs before Harmer edged behind off Tom Taylor, who also trapped Kasun Rajitha lbw. Snater's entertaining knock ended with one shot too many as Essex added 84 runs to their overnight total.

Match Situation:
Worcestershire 202 & 185/6 (Kashif 50, Porter 3-36) require 110 more runs to beat Essex 179 & 317 (Walter 104, Thain 54, Waite 3-40)

With only four wickets in hand and a fading pitch offering just enough for the bowlers, Essex will fancy their chances of wrapping up victory on the final day—barring any weather disruptions or unexpected resistance from the Worcestershire tail.

Porter and Snater Put Essex on Brink of First Win of the Season

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