But Bopara, whose place for the decisive final Ashes Test is under particular threat after a poor run of scores, did nothing to enhance his chances of retaining his spot for The Oval, edging only his seventh ball to Kartik at second slip for just 1.

BBC: Murtagh haul leaves Essex on rack

The ball caromed back onto the field off the bottom of a black retaining wall just above the fence and was initially ruled in play.

WSJ: Marcum exits early again, Mets lose to Pirates 7-3

Rangers began to threaten and a superb thrusting run from Nacho Novo, retaining his place after two goals on Tuesday, set up Kris Boyd, but his strike partner curled the ball wide of the post from the edge of the box.

BBC: Rangers 2-0 Dundee United