A TREMENDOUS double-century from captain Steve James left Glamorgan firmly in control of their Frizzell County Championship Division Two clash against Essex at Chelmsford.

James, (pictured) who finished the day on 235 not out, hit his best championship innings of the season as Glamorgan finished on 505-6 in reply to Essex's 231 all out. The 499 runs scored was the highest in a day by Glamorgan while James finished 74 runs short of his county record 309.

"I'm not thinking of passing that goal, though I would be delighted if it happened," said James before resuming his innings. "I could be out first ball. "We are in a strong position and all that matters is the team."

Essex captain Ronnie Irani was dealt a further blow with news wicketkeeper James Foster had broken a thumb.

The highly-rated 21-year-old, in his second game back from injury after breaking his forearm, broke his left thumb keeping wicket to John Stephenson and is expected to be out for six weeks.

Yesterday's warm, sunny conditions made for an improved batting wicket as Glamorgan openers Dean Cosker and James fashioned an impressive 75 partnership. Irani and Jo Grant led the Essex charge but Grant had a difficult afternoon as James stepped up a gear.

Three hostile cover drives to the boundary in the same Grant over signalled the skipper's intentions as he raced to his fourth championship 50 of the season in 84 balls, scoring eight fours in the process.

But Irani's introduction of left-arm bowler Justin Bishop had the desired effect as he finally dismissed Cosker for 37.

A good-length ball tempted Copsker into an off drive, but he succeeded merely in top-edging the ball through to Foster behind the wicket. Four overs later, new batsman Daniel Cherry became Bishop's second victim - trapped lbw.

It was left to new batsman Adrian Dale to carry the fight to Essex and he made an emphatic start, driving a Bishop half-volley to the boundary.

At the other end, James was looking irresistible. A subtle glance and a cover drive off Stephenson were among his array of strokes.

Irani introduced off-spinner Tim Phillips into the fray and this too brought success as he claimed the wicket of Dale (12) with his first delivery.

But it proved a false dawn for Irani's men as James, accompanied by an important contribution from Michael Powell, marched on to an inspired century that eased Glamorgan past the 200 mark.

The Glamorgan captain cruised to his third ton of the season off 132 deliveries. Powell was nearing his half-century before James Middlebrook trapped him in front playing across the line.

And with Irani's men tiring in the field, new batsman Matthew Maynard continued his rich vein of form with 76 off just 88 deliveries that included two huge sixes over long-on. Maynard reached his fifth half-century in as many innings before providing Stephenson with a return catch.

Mark Wallace joined in the fun with 34 before being bowled by the persistent Irani, but it was James who stole the show.