Round-up: Northants undone by Craddock

This is becoming a season for red-letter debuts among Essex's crop of upcoming bowlers. After 17-year-old pace bowler Reece Topley's explosive introduction earlier in the summer, it was the turn of 21-year-old leg-spinner Tom Craddock yesterday.

The Huddersfield-born player, on a two-month trial at Chelmsford, marked his Championship debut with four wickets as Second Division leaders Northamptonshire suffered a first defeat of the season and Essex claimed their second win.

Northants, 37 for 1 overnight in pursuit of a target of 416, were bowled out for 244. They never really threatened to get close, with one batsman after another appearing to be set but failing to push on.

Craddock took his first when Andrew Hall was bowled attempting to sweep. He went on to dismiss Chaminda Vaas and Lee Daggett before James Middlebrook gave an easy catch to cover, leaving him with figures of 4 for 70.

England skipper Andrew Strauss was frustrated in his quest for batting practice as Middlesex spent the day in the field at Uxbridge, where a century for Ian Cockbain helped Gloucestershire to 368 for 7.