Somerset built a 30-run lead after bowling out Essex for just 149 in their County Championship Division One match at Chelmsford. The visitors had Will Smeed, who had been brought across the country from east Wales to perform injury substitute duties after Tom Kohler-Cadmore damaged his hand. Essex had collapsed from 77-2 before lunch to 149 all out by mid-afternoon, with Josh Shaw taking 3-30 on his debut. Despite a day of 15 wickets, Somerset managed to reach 179-5 at the close of play. Stand-in captain Craig Overton was unbeaten on 50 from 36 balls.