Charlie Morris, Ed Barnard and Brett D’Oliveira all picked up two wickets as Worcestershire restricted Essex to 264-8 from 91 overs on the opening day of the two-day match in the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Morris returned the excellent figures of 2-22 from 17 overs and dismissed Dan Lawrence – lbw for 17 – and Varun Chopra who was bowled for nought.
Barnard ended with the analysis of 2-44 from 18 overs with Nick Browne (59) and Matt Coles (4) his victims.
D’Oliveira claimed the scalps of Ryan ten Doeschate (44) and Adam Wheater (2) – a century-maker in the 50 over game between the two sides.
Former England Test captain, Alastair Cook, retired out after making a half century.
The other bowling figures were – Josh Tongue (0-62 in 15 overs), Adam Finch (0-33 in 12 overs), Ross Whiteley (0-12 in two overs), George Rhodes (0-35 in 11 overs) and Ben Twohig (0-19 in six overs).
Worcestershire will now bat throughout the final day before flying back to the United Kingdom at the conclusion of their two week trip.
