Ravi Bopara, whose failure to get among the runs cost him his England Test place at The Oval, was closing in on a century when on Essex duty in their LV County Championship match with Surrey at Colchester.

Bopara ended the day on 83 as his side responded with 221 for three to a Surrey total of 428.

Bopara was way short of his fluent best on an easy-paced pitch, but his battling qualities were never in doubt as he fought to rediscover his touch.

His reward has so far brought him nine boundaries in an innings spanning 120 deliveries and by the close he was batting with increasing authority.

Certainly Bopara displayed a resilience lacking among others in the top order.

Openers John Maunders and Tom Westley both failed to make the best of useful starts.

They each moved into the 30s before they were out, Westley being caught behind off Pedro Collins and his partner departing lbw to Chris Schofield.

Matt Walker also flattered to deceive. He was caught down the leg side for 22 to provide Stuart Meaker with success, leaving an even greater burden on Bopara's shoulders to anchor the innings.

He and skipper Mark Pettini have so far added 84 and much will depend on them if Essex are to gain the upper hand.

Earlier in the day, Schofield recorded his maiden first-class century after Surrey had resumed on 304 for six.

The 30-year-old left-hander, better known for his exploits as a leg spinner, had started the day on 87 and was to reach three figures with a glorious off drive against fast bowler Chris Wright.

It was his 19th boundary and he went on to gather three more before he was caught behind for 144 following an effort that spanned 208 deliveries.

Medium paceman Ryan ten Doeschate was the bowler who ended Schofield's innings and brought to an end a partnership for the seventh wicket of 125 with Meaker.

Meaker was finally last out for 72, a victim of leg spinner Danish Kaneria. But at least he had the consolation of a personal best that contained nine fours.

Kaneria finished with three wickets at a cost of 120, while Wright and Ten Doeschate each picked up two victims as Surrey posted their formidable total after losing half their side for 136 on the opening day.