Yorkshire vs Essex County Championship 2022 Division I│Sir Alastair Cook steals the show on Day 1

Sir Alastair Cook romped his way to 71st first-class century to put Essex in a dominant position on Day 1 at the County Ground in Chelmsford. Essex ended the day on 234/3 and will look to pile on runs on the second day.

However, it was not all gloomy for the Steven Patterson-led Yorkshire on a greenish wicket. Essex's top order had been struggling this season, and this factor might have also influenced Patterson's decision to bowl first.

And Jordan Thompson seemed to justify the skipper's decision at the toss as he accounted for the struggling Nick Browne on the day's third ball. 

Captain Tom Westley joined Sir Alastair at the crease, and the duo saw through the tricky phase without any further damage. They kept the scoreboard ticking, but the skipper returned to the pavilion in the 21st over. He fell to off-spinner Dom Bess on 24, with three boundaries to his name. 

Westley's wicket brought last match's hero, Paul Walter, into the middle. Cook and Walter batted without breaking a sweat and displayed unflinching temperament of the highest order. Essex did not lose any wicket in the second and the major part of the third session.

Former England captain, Sir Alastair Cook, was at his best as he easily milked Yorkshire's bowlers. In the third session, he brought up his century but fell soon after reaching the three-figure mark. His knock of 107 came off 268 balls and included fifteen boundaries.

Patterson knocked over the centurion to usher in nightwatchman Samuel Cook to the crease. Walter and Cook remained unbeaten at stumps, with the former batting on 89 off 228 balls.

Brief scores: Essex 234/3

Sir Alastair Cook 107

Paul Walter 89*

Steven Patterson 42/1