Ross Taylor reached three figures for the first time in Nottinghamshire colours on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship match against Essex at the County Ground.
The New Zealand international scored 146, making his runs from 208 deliveries, with 23 fours, as Notts closed on 311 for six.
Chris Nash, skippering the county for the first time, made 51 and Billy Root added 32 in a partnership of 122 with Taylor.
Notts made just the one change from the eleven that played at Taunton in the last county championship match, with Harry Gurney returning in place of Steven Mullaney.
Mullaney, away on England Lions duty, handed over the captaincy reins to Nash, who won the toss and opted to bat first.
The two wickets to fall in the morning session were those of Jake Libby, who shouldered arms and was bowled for five by Matt Quinn and then Samit Patel, promoted to three, who was pinned lbw by Matt Coles for 20.
Shortly after lunch Nash reached his fifty from 83 balls but fell to his next delivery, leg before wicket to Quinn.
Taylor’s own half century contained 10 boundaries, seven of them down to the third man fence, and arrived from 73 balls. He then kicked on with a series of elegant drives in an enterprising fourth wicket partnership with Root.
The left-hander lifted Simon Harmer straight back over his head for the first six of the contest but the biggest cheer from the travelling supporters came for his batting partner shortly afterwards.
Taylor pulled his fellow countryman Neil Wagner to the midwicket fence to reach his 25th first class hundred from 124 balls, with 18 fours.
Simon Harmer’s off spin accounted for both Root – caught at slip by Chopra – and then Riki Wessels, lbw for 13.
Tom Moores continued his fine recent form in the closing hour of the day but had to take additional responsibility when Essex picked up the prize scalp of Taylor towards the end of the day.
Jamie Porter, armed with the second new ball, found a bit of bounce and clipped the outside edge of the 34-year olds bat as it made its way through to the ‘keeper.
Luke Fletcher prevented any further alarms and will start afresh on day two with Notts looking to add to the three batting points they’ve picked up so far.
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