Carlson, Tribe hundreds leave Essex under the cosh

Kiran Carlson and Asa Tribe both scored centuries as Glamorgan dominated day one against Essex in the final game of the Rothesay County Championship.

Essex were made to rue two opportunities handed to them at the start of the day. The first, when Tom Westley chose to bowl at the toss, and then when Simon Harmer dropped Tribe on zero in the match's second over. Glamorgan ended the day's play on 318 for 3 to punish a struggling Essex - although the bonus point for taking three wickets had confirmed their safety from relegation, pending Leicestershire's appeal against a pitch penalty.

Carlson's 107 was his second-best knock of the season after recording a double-century at Hampshire in May - a 99 also came in last month's game against Leicestershire. Tribe's milestone was a second century in as many weeks, having made 155 in the win over Surrey last week.

Essex would've considered themselves all but safe heading into the final four days unless Leicestershire pulled off an upset against title favourites Warwickshire but were allowed breathing space by the Foxes' collapse for 125, which left with no batting points.

Essex needed a strong start to wrap up confirmation of Division One cricket as quickly as possible but Harmer's waist-high drop at second slip to an edge drawn by 17-year-old seamer Jack Auld was an unfortunate foreshadowing of Essex's day ahead.

While the pitch at Sophia Gardens has frequently brought early excitement for seamers this season, the sun beating down on the centrally located wicket all day only allowed for Tribe and Carlson to dominate.

Zain-ul-Hassan also made a solid start, guided shots through deep third and a pleasant straight drive off Zaman Akhter the highlights of his start. Essex would come to be grateful the opener didn't go on to reach a milestone for himself after being dropped on 19 off Paul Walter's bowling.

Tribe pounced upon the luck he was handed by learning a lesson outside his off stump instantly. He was back to being fluid when bowling strayed too straight and was disciplined on his decision-making outside off.

Carlson was more cautious to begin with, bogged down by Sam Cook who was the pick of the bowlers on consistency. But after lunch, Glamorgan's captain picked up his rate by showing off his one-day style impulsive flick off the hip and using his feet proactively to the 47 overs of spin bowled in the day.

Essex were evidently flailing from early in the day. Six bowlers were used before lunch, including two spinners inside 30 overs - a sign of the pitch's condition. At 230 for 1 at tea, both batters were set and racing to three figures. Carlson won the race with two to deep square leg as Cook operated with an innovative field. Tribe followed shortly after, pulling Harmer for four, one ball after Glamorgan secured a first batting point since June.

Carlson's time enjoying a poor bowling display came to an end when Matt Critchley snuck a short one through a pull-shot attempt with the stand worth 178.

Ben Kellaway was scratchy from ball one and always looked likely to fall cheaply when he was adjudged lbw for Critchley's grateful second to bring Colin Ingram to the crease, greeted by a guard of honour.

The pair at either end of their career's saw through the day's end, claiming a second batting point against the second new ball while Essex's struggles at least ended with confirmation of safety.