Worcestershire were put to the sword by Essex at Chelmsford yesterday in a dramatic day of falling wickets.

The visitors were eventually bowled out for a humiliating 84 as Jesse Ryder showed his skill with the ball to nab a total of five scalps.

But the route started early as David Masters had Oliver caught at second slip (Tom Westley) leaving the stunned visitors at 1-1 in the very first over.

Next Moeen Ali pushes forward to Ryder and edged the ball to James Foster. Ali had made just 12 runs.

And the wickets kept coming as Daryl Mitchell clipped a Ryder delivery to Graham Napier at mid wicket.

At 21 for 3 there was a sense of panic about the Worcestershire play.

This was made worse when Alexei Kervezee was bowled by Ryder for just two runs.

By the 12th over the visitors had lost four wickets and the middle order fared just a badly with only Leach putting up much of a battle as he battled his way to 39 runs.

He was one of only two batsmen to reach double figures.

At the end of the visitors innings the crowd at Chelmsford stood to applaud the fielding team and their remarkable display.

Any fear that the home team might suffer a similar fate as their rivals was allayed by Essex who – despite losing Westley cheaply for three thanks to a run out – started to pile on the runs, to the delight of the partisan crowd who by now knew that they were witnessing a remarkable match.

Browne racked up 15 fours on his way to a fantastic 106 not out (off 220 balls) and Smith managed 14 before he was dismidssed.

A decent 31 from Ravi Bopara helped Essex and then Foster looked in command and amassed 36 not out at the close of play in a match Essex must now believe that they will win – as long as they continue in this rich form today.

However, the start of play was delayed this morning because of rain in Chelmsford.