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Rouse Pays Tribute To Essex Batsmen

30 June 2014

Adam Rouse admitted that he could only stand and admire the batting skills of Jesse Ryder and Ravi Bopara as the two Essex batsmen dominated the second day of the LV=County Championship match at Chelmsford.

Having begun the day on 75 without loss, the hosts ended it on 425-3, leading by 201 and with a firm grip on the game.

Ryder hammered 133 and Bopara 96 not out on a torrid day for Gloucestershire's bowlers. Tom Westley (71) and Nick Browne (65) and James Foster (51 not out) also cashed in.

But it was the stand of 197 between Ryder and Bopara that proved most damaging after Hamish Marshall and David Payne had combined to remove Westley and Browne in the space of two overs.

From that point Essex took complete control and the score had progressed to 336 by the time Rouse took a catch off Matt Taylor to dismiss Ryder.

At the close Gloucestershire's trialist wicketkeeper said: "It was a long day for us, but to watch Ravi Bopara and Jesse Ryder was a great experience.

"They played their game and, when they are doing that, you have to make sure you keep doing the right things."

Gloucestershire now need a recovery to match the one they made against Surrey at the Bristol County Ground recently to avoid defeat.

For full details of the second day's play click on Cricket and then Match Reports.

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