Haynes century maintains Notts dominance at Essex

Rothesay County Championship, Division One, Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford (day two)Essex 184: Patterson-White 6-43 & 13-2: O'Neill 2-12Nottinghamshire 457: Haynes 137*, Hameed 89; Harmer 5-165Essex (2 pts) trail Notts (6 pts) by 260 runsMatch scorecardJack Haynes' second century of the campaign helped Nottinghamshire get their County Championship season back on track as they amassed a huge lead over title pretenders Essex at Chelmsford.Essex had taken over at the top of the table in the last round when Nottinghamshire suffered a heavy home defeat against Somerset. But that loss was channelled into such a dominant performance with ball and bat that the reigning champions led by 273 runs on first innings.

Essex have been comprehensively outplayed and may well end up with just two bonus points from the game.Haynes built on the foundation put in place by captain and opener Haseeb Hameed's solid 89 to remain 137 not out after a tad over five hours at the crease. At times the 25-year-old was content to hold up an end and watch some destructive big-hitting from lower-order batsmen Fergus O'Neill, Liam Patterson-White and Olly Stone as Nottinghamshire posted 457.

Simon Harmer's five-wicket haul almost went under the radar. However, it came at a personal cost of 165 runs from a marathon 45 overs. In six frenzied overs before the close, Essex limped to 13-2, losing Paul Walter to the third ball, bowled playing around one from O'Neill, who then had nightwatchman Jamie Porter caught at third slip.

Things looked rosier for the home side at the start of day two when Shane Snater added his third wicket of the Nottinghamshire innings. Nottinghamshire had added just seven to their overnight total when Joe Clarke drove a delivery that swung into him straight back to the bowler.The visitors were made to work for their runs in the morning under heavy, overcast skies.

Hameed was less exuberant than he had been the previous evening and had added just 21 runs and one four in 85