ESSEX built a huge first-innings lead in their County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire as they batted through day two at Chelmsford.
The hosts reached the close on 449-8, giving them an advantage of 301 runs and leaving them favourites to go on and collect their second Championship victory of the summer.
Consistent rather than spectacular batting carved out their position of dominance with five batsmen posting half-centuries on a friendly pitch.
They resumed on 108 without loss in reply to their opponents’ 148 but lost both openers in the morning session.
Nick Browne, having complet-ed his half-century with his 10th boundary and first scoring stroke of the day, departed soon afterwards for 60 with 26 runs added to the overnight total.
He was trapped leg before wicket by Wayne White and soon after Essex had moved into the lead they lost Alastair Cook.
Essex captain James Foster at the crease. Picture: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photos
The England captain, who started the day on 50, looked so at ease that a century in his first Championship outing of the campaign appeared inevitable but, having moved to 80, he was bowled by off-spinner Wes Durston.
Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara took no risks in putting together a partnership of 62 in 17 overs but both departed when a more substantial contribution beckon-ed. Westley’s defences were breached by White on 43 while the paceman also got rid of Bopara soon after he had completed his first Champion-ship half-century of the season.
Bopara had moved to 57 from 107 balls with eight fours when he flashed at a wide delivery from White and was caught by Durston at second slip.
Jesse Ryder became the fourth batsmen to go beyond 50, a landmark that he reached from 81 balls, eight of which he despatched to the ropes.
Ravi Bopara batting for Essex. Picture: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photos
But having scored 52, he was bowled by left-arm spinner Chesney Hughes before Ryan ten Doeschate (20) became another Durston victim when he too was bowled.
James Foster and Graham Napier carried Essex to their fourth batting point in the 109th over.
They were the county’s first batting points at Chelmsford this season, having failed to top 200 in the first innings of their three previous home games.
Napier then increased the tempo with 35 from 39 deliveries, which included a straight-driven six against Hughes before he was caught on the square leg boundary by Shiv Thakor.
That wicket provided the persevering White, who ended the day with four for 102 from 25 overs, with his fourth success in the innings.
Matt Salisbury was bowled by former Essex paceman Tony Palladino for nine before Foster completed his 50 just before the close having faced 76 balls and struck six fours.
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