Bears use their Ed after Ethan has TON of fun

ETHAN Bamber, nominally batting as nightwatchman, enjoyed the day of his life in recording a maiden first-class century to help Warwickshire narrowly avoid following on in their Rothesay County Championship match at Chelmsford.

- By MARTIN SMITH ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

Despite Matt Critchley, the main spin option in the absence of Simon Harmer, taking five for 156 from 37 overs, Ed Barnard made sure the Bears passed the 453-run target to make Essex bat again with just number 11 batsman Oliver Hannon-Dalby for company.

In the team primarily as an opening bowler, 26-year-old Bamber had never surpassed the 46 not out he compiled against Surrey two summers ago when with Middlesex. But he was unflustered and correct in defence and attack in remaining at the crease for nearly four hours for his crucial 107, which makes a draw on the fourth day inevitable.

Bamber was not overawed in a 64-run stand for the third wicket with Dan Mousley, who hit 75 from 88 balls, and 80 for the fifth wicket with Beau Webster, whose contribution was 32. Another player to relish the day was 20-year-old South Asian Cricket Academy graduate Vansh Jani, looking like an old hand and marking his county debut with 41 in an 86-run stand with Barnard, who was 90 not out when bad light ended play at 6.54pm with the Bears 465 for nine.