Essex are currently engaged in a Championship fixture against Yorkshire at Chelmsford, the match starting on Wednesday.

The previous two matches with the Tykes have produced some splendid cricket.

At Ilford in 1997, Yorkshire won by two wickets and when play commenced on the fourth day, they still required for six runs to complete the victory while Essex needed two more wickets.

Thoughts at that particular time were that even a tie was a likely possibility. Yorkshire captain, David Byas, described the match as "Probably the best game of cricket I've ever played in."

Last season's encounter at Scarborough also produced a breathtaking conclusion although the match was completed inside three days.

The White Rose county had been set 148 to win but an outstanding performance by Mark Ilott who grabbed five wickets reduced them to 95 for eight wickets.

The ninth wicket pair added 61 before Danny Law removed Paul Hutchison but last man Matthew Hoggard won the match with a six.

On Sunday, the two teams contest a National League match at Chelmsford with the Essex Eagles hoping to overcome the Yorkshire Phoenix and earn their first win in the new 45 over competition.

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