Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate completed career-best first-class figures for the County on day two (Saturday) of the Tourist Match against New Zealand at The Ford County Ground.

The 27-year-old picked up his sixth wicket with his first delivery of the morning to finish with 17.1-3-57-6, beating his previous best of 5-143 against Surrey in the County Championship at Whitgift School in 2006.

Ten Doeschate is enjoying a fine start to the season with the ball, having already taken six wickets @ 19.66 in the first two Championship games.

The Netherlands international puts his good form down to a combination of hard work and good advice.

He told the Essex CCC website:

“I would have preferred six wickets in a Championship innings – as it would have had a bigger impact on our season – but this is still a reward for all the hard work I’ve put in on my bowling.

“Of all the people who have coached me with my bowling it may seem a little odd that it was something (Batting Coach) Graham Gooch advised that has probably made the most difference by changing my position at the crease.

“In addition, (Essex Bowling Coach) Graeme Welch has advised a more relaxed approach and that seems to have worked too. Graeme has told me that being patient gets wickets and that seems to have worked.

“At the moment I’m still no more than fourth or fifth bowler in the side but if I can continue improving my consistency – which is the key – then I can become an increasingly important part of the attack.”