A composed half-century from Bradford-born Adil Rashid helped Yorkshire close in on Essex’s first-innings total at Chelmsford.

Despite losing four wickets on the morning session of day three, the leg-spinner reached lunch on 51 not out.

It helped the Tykes to 314-9 at the interval, meaning they are now only 85 runs behind their hosts’ 399 all out.

Rashid’s knock was all the more important given the lack of support from his team-mates.

Resuming on 227-5, it was not long before the Essex attack were celebrating.

In just the third over of play they removed Gerard Brophy for 33 when he was bowled by Andy Carter, before Tim Bresnan departed for just 11 to leave Yorkshire seven down.

Fortunately Rashid and Steve Patterson then put on 50 for the eighth wicket, only for two wickets in two balls to halt the Tykes’ fightback.

Patterson went for a rather misguided swipe to find Grant Flower at long-on off Tim Phillips for 16, before Carter ripped out Tino Best’s stumps to leave Yorkshire on 304-9.

Oliver Hannon-Dalby showed some fighting spirit to help bat out the remaining 35 balls of the session and resumed the afternoon’s action on one not out.

By passing 300, Yorkshire did at least pick up a fifth bonus point.